It’s almost New Years Day and many of you are already starting to think about making a resolution usually they are in the area of; I’m going to eat healthy and lose weight, I’m going to get out of debt or I’m going to get organized.
These are great things to want to do but I’m afraid that about 90% of you won’t keep them so here are a couple of things to think about that will hopefully give you greater success in keeping them.
Of course I can’t in this one sitting give you detailed ideas in each one of those areas but I can give you some general tips to think about that will help you in all of those areas then for more details hit our website, search our blog or books to help you in each specific area and give you practical details how to accomplish what you want to do.
First sometimes it helps to understand why we do the things we do. Most of us want to lose weight and eat healthy on New Years Day because we have just spent the past month gorging ourselves so that we now feel bloated, halfway sick and can’t fit in to our clothes anymore.
So like a pendulum that swings from on extreme to another we think the answer is to eat carrot sticks for the rest of our lives. That usually lasts about 3 days and then we give up.
As far as getting out of debt the same thing applies. We have just spent the past couple of weeks spending more money then we had planned and now we feel guilty and are not going to spend a penny for anything and will panic every time we have to buy something like food or gas because the price is so high.
Then there is getting organized. Right now you are probably surrounded by a Christmas tree and decorations that are starting to accumulate a thin layer of dust which is giving a dingy look to everything. The once bright and cheery look of the Christmas lights have dulled, the candles on the mantle have been burned down to nubs and look more like they belong in a haunted house or on a horror show.
There is leftover wrapping paper here and there with piles of platters and dishes used for Christmas dinner setting on every counter. You close your eyes every time you open the fridge so you don’t have to look at the piles of leftovers in there. Last but not least there are all the mounds of new toys, clothes and gifts. How do you stuff them into the already full closet? No wonder you have the urge to clean and get organized. But where do I even start.
Like I have said before, to much of even a good thing can make us sick and frustrated.
The main point I want to make is that you can do everything that you resolve to do but you need to pace yourself. It’s like running a long distance marathon. You don’t just shoot out off of the starting line going as fast and hard as you can. You will never make the distance that way. Do a small amount at a time and break things in to manageable pieces.
Have a plan. Whether it is writing good balanced meals for each week, making out a budget or even more important being bold enough to write down and acknowledge what your debts are then making a plan of where to cut your spending or when it comes to organizing try making a list of 1-2 areas of your home you are going to organize each day.
Next prepare; do I have the right shoes, are there water stations, and have I slowly worked my muscles into shape? You also have to be prepared for some pain and be prepared for when it hits and not be afraid of it but keep going in spite of the discomfort. You may have to spend some time preparing good meals, balancing your check book or make sure you have cleaning supplies and boxes for when you start organizing. You even need to be prepared for what to do when that overwhelming feeling of discouragement hits.
Have you ever looked up the definition of resolution? I did. It means to have firm determination, bold, steady and to reduce something to a simpler form. You need to be steady and pace yourself. Little by little and piece by piece reduce your mess to something simpler and more manageable. You can’t accomplish any of it in a week or two. Like the tortoise and the hare keep a slow but steady pace to win the race.
Last but not least get up and do it. Stop blaming everyone and making excuses. You won’t even get out of the starting gate if you spend all your time standing there tell everyone why you can’t run. If you can’t run then at least start taking steps and walk. You’ll at least be getting somewhere where if you just stand bemoaning your lot in life and how miserable the world is in these hard economic times is you will get no where.
You may fall (or eat that piece of chocolate cake, spend more then you should have or leave dirty dishes in the sink one day) but pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep going. The only thing that will keep you from getting there is if you stop (quit and give up) so keep at it.
We will try to do the same and keep plugging along with ideas on how to accomplish all of the above. Now I must quit because I have a messy room that I really need to deal with today! : ) : )
Jill
Since I was on bedrest at that stage of my pregnancy with the other 3 I may just have to keep the visions in my head until Baby K is born in June. Ok, maybe Sept. since it will be to hot to be in the garden by then. (Gotta love Kansas!)