- Setting New Goals and Habits
- New Year Resolutions
- The YES Method
- Allowing for Flexibility
So, it is the start of the new year and many of us may be reflecting upon some of our goals and intentions of last year and where we have come since then.
Or perhaps we are looking to start new habits as the year takes off. Whether this is you or not, it is a good time to look and reflect or at least think about what you might want to start or stop in your future.
I remember once calling a friend on the first day of the month. It wasn’t the month of January; it was a different month. He said he was busy that day and had to connect with me on a different day. I inquired about what had his attention.
He proceeded to tell me that at the beginning of each new month he went over his goals and set new ones for himself. Whether it was personal, relationship, health, or work goals, he was taking a fresh look. This could also be called “Plan, Do, Review”, a term I learned in business.
I was struck by this habit and have never forgotten the conversation. In fact, I was so impressed that I asked him where he had gotten this habit from? He said, from his mother. So, I quickly became friends with “mom” too, and it became a very rewarding friendship.
Although I have not adopted the same pattern as my friend, I have been able to set and achieve goals that are important to me, and I found a way that I can say “Yes!” to some of these small, however important, and healthy habits.
And I want to help you do the same! Let’s start with something simple. Maybe you wish to read more often or daily or do an exercise routine of your favorite online class five times a week.
For me that would be Yoga, Pilates, or a movement routine. In my effort to achieve this goal, in a busy world, with many areas of life calling to my attention, I asked myself, “What can I say yes to??”
Ok, so reading a book, can I commit to 30 minutes? No.
Can I commit to 10 pages? No.
How about 10 minutes? That seems achievable! Yes!
You can then draw upon the help of a timer and voila! A new healthy habit that you are committed to starting.
For my exercise routine, I asked myself the same type of questions. I’ve found my favorite online channels, and then started asking myself the questions. Ok, yoga, 45 minutes? No.
Can I try 30 minutes? No.
What about 15 minutes? YES!
So, I now have a baseline to start that commitment. And what’s also great about this, is on You Tube, for example, there are playlists with exercise routines that are a certain length. Which really helps to make this new habit VERY EASY!!
This has really helped me to start something new and stay committed. I hope it will help you too! By using the “What can I say YES to?” method. You can even reevaluate once a month or quarter or whatever works for you.
I believe that one of the most important things is to not get yourself stressed or bogged down to certain markers or styles of forming habits. Allow yourself to be flexible. Not to be too rigid.
Things that are too rigid can break, so be malleable! Be flexible. It will make for a more dynamic person in the long run. So, try this technique next time you’re starting a new habit. Enjoy the journey!!
