There are so many blogs promoting new targets and goals which are all positive but not really practical. Starting something completely new with little preparation is one of the hardest things to do. To truly start something and see through the beginning is like a magnetic pull with high resistance. Evidence shows that most people go back to their old ways in no time.
How to begin a better lifestyle
So before diving into making a long list of things you want to change, let’s look at what it means to be a new you?
Making a new you means creating a new life habit. There is a saying that goes ‘sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
But habits need firm foundations and if the foundations are weak, it’s difficult to for us to help the habit thrive and normalise it. Creating a habit without a goal will end up with you feeling lost and unmotivated.
There are a few things that can really kick off new habits well. To start with, how about improving a good habit that you already have – and then add to that? Look back at all the things you have accomplished last year. For example, if you’ve started to learn a new language, deepen your learning with travel or read a wider range of literature to help broaden your knowledge.
Of course, there are popular new habits that are on everyone’s list and to help these succeed, you can use small steps and bite-size techniques:
How?
Go to bed earlier and get at least 8 hours of sleep – this is easier said than done. So look back on what the times you are currently sleeping at and start from dialling back 30mins earlier and after a few months, you will have achieved the ideal time you are happy with.
Want to hone a new craft such as drawing? Start with just a 10 min sketch each day, after 5 days that’s a good 50 mins of your hands and eyes being trained. And in 30 days, you will have a clear picture of your progress. This will then motivate you to continue. Doing something every day will only improve the area you are working on.
One of the habits I want to focus on this year is to be ‘present’. I want to avoid thinking about multiple tasks and switching between different activities and getting distracted by ‘important’ things. My goal is to be present to things in front of me and live more at the moment. Whether I am writing a blog piece, walking on the street, or replying to emails, etc. The goal is to be present to things I am doing and really enjoy the experience.
With 365 days ahead, it’s exciting to think of all the new opportunities and possibilities this year will bring. What habit would you like to continue and create?