Isn’t it crazy how after one of the most non relaxing holidays in the year January is never the downtime we really need. How is your January going? If it is anything like mine you have been buzzing round and insanely busy. I have been getting lots done to start the year and although the ‘to do’ pile is full, I feel as though I am working my way through it piece by piece. However if I am being truly honest I have been busier than I thought I would be and that is not leaving me the time I need for me. If you have read my blog before you will know that I don’t hold with making resolutions in January I like to make goals and plans which I take action on in February. So right now in my planning stage I can already see I have to address this “no me time” issue this year. It’s great to have plans for an amazing year and self care but if you don’t have time to do it… well it’s are not going to happen right?
This got me thinking about all of you out there who made New Year’s resolutions and 2018 goals. It’s now week 5 of 2018. And if your life has gotten as busy as mine has been I am guessing that some of you are struggling to maintain the new health routine, meditate each day, say yes more, say no more or keep on that diet. No judgement I totally get it. You are not alone. Studies say that 80% of new year’s resolutions fail by February. And there are many reasons for this however the one I know to be true from my own life is that
Unrealistic over optimistic goals + Unexpected busyness in life = me not focusing on me
And I know that I am not alone. So that’s the challenge. What’s the solution? Well as always when we look the solution is actually very simple.
Realistic goals with smaller actions needed + planning and prioritising tasks = time for me
Basically if we set realistic goals and break them into bite size actions and plan our time we create the time we need to concentrate on our goals. Sounds wonderfully logical but how do we translate this to real life? How can we take this magic formula and make it real ? And when is the best time to do it?
Now. Here and now both in nature and within astrology we are surrounded with the energy of inspiration, new life returning and fertile ground appearing. When we Re:root with this we can see that in nature’s cycle this is not the time of planting seeds it is the time for preparing to plant. Doing the groundwork and preparation. The world is not completely out of hibernation yet. So why the heck are we running around trying to start a million and one new things when we are not entire thawed and out of hibernation? It makes no sense. This is the perfect time to reflect and plan, without the rose tinted glasses we had on at Christmas. Just follow these 5 steps and make the time you need…
Reassess and streamline your goals
Have a look at your goals and resolutions. What is realistically achievable ? You may want to go to the gym everyday in an ideal world, but does your lifestyle allow for that? Scroll down your over optimistic side go twice a week and then start to look at your life to see how you can restructure it to fit training in everyday by September.
Make sure your goals are really something you want not what society is telling you you should want- Look at your goals and ask yourself. Can I really wholeheartedly embrace this goal right now? If you can’t then shelve it. You need to look at why you don’t want to do it rather than jumping in and failing because it’s not something you want.
Streamline your goals. Fewer goals means more energy to focus on the projects you have going on. So instead of 10 goals make 5 or 3 and focus on them wholeheartedly.
Make a step by step action plan
For each of your goals (resolutions) make a step by step action plan of what you need to do to make this happen. I call these idiot friendly recipes. You make the recipe as simple as possible so it’s easy to follow. This leaves you with a really clear idea of how you are going to get to where you want to be,
Plot your actions into your calendar
On your action plan add dates for completion then add these into your calendar. Set reminders in your phone. This will help keep you focused and on track every week throughout the year.
Prioritise daily
Every day as you make your to do list ask yourself what am I going to do to manifest my goals and resolutions today. Use your action plan to remind you how and do your best to do a minimum of one thing per day to manifest your goals.
Use the two minute rule
So when you are really pressed for time and you can’t see how to focus on your goals use the two minute rule. The two minute rule is a wonderful tool,originally made for procrastinating is brilliant for working on your goals when you are pushed for time.
It works in 2 parts:
Part 1 — If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.
Part 2 – Every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less so make a start. Take first 2 minute step
To read the full guide to the 2 minute rule go to James Clear’s website
https://jamesclear.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating
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People often feel downhearted and guilty when their new year’s resolutions fail. Don’t. No I said Don’t. Lifestyle change takes time. If you fall off the horse, ask yourself why. Learn about yourself from your failures and then get back on the horse with new information to support you on your journey. Baby steps are better than no steps at all. As January turns to Febuary the spring begins to return so use this natural rebirth energy to realign yourself with your goals and create the time to work on them even if it is just 2 minutes a day!
Have a great week !