“There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” – Ronald Reagan
When one looks up the meaning of resolution, you quickly discover that it lends itself to both positive and negative connotations. Although, I may not always be successful in the practice, I do try very hard to always to see the glass half full. Approaching a mission from a positive perspective, has a far better chance for success.
The first month of the new year is complete. As previously noted in an earlier blog, I am ready to reveal my resolutions for 2018. I know your day would still come and go without reading my challenge to grow. But, by publishing my annual aspirations, I have committed to giving this list the old college try. Luckily, the first 31 days have been a success so I am off to a good start.
This year is dedicated to improving some of my daily habits. Research has shown that establishing an action into your routine, one must do it for multiple days in a row (one of my favorite books The Happiness Advantage suggests that the magic number is 21 days). Each month I have chosen a theme and will attempt to change my behavior by simply tricking myself into doing it automatically. This brings me to the fine line of obsession and habit and their perpendicular cousin procrastination. However, I elect to address these traits after tackling this list for a few months.
2018 Daily Modifications
January – Walk 10,000 Steps Every Day Measurement Device – Fitbit
My kids gave me a fit bit for Mother’s Day and I have become obsessed with my daily steps. Falling back to my educational training as an economist, I will grant myself measuring success by a weekly average of 70,000 steps. My love of breaking down dilemmas into an average might be my next blog topic.
February – Drink 64 ounces of Water a Day Measurement Device – Undecided
Keeping track of intake has proven to be an obstacle four days into this exercise. If you visited my living space, one would discover water bottles with sharpie notes. So far my life becoming a camel is working. I also have denied myself my friend the average, every day counts.
March – Tell my Kids I love them Daily Measurement Device – Chart
I am a big fan of charts, just ask my mother. I love my kids more than life itself. As they have grown up and headed off to college, I tend to communicate with them less and less. Between calls, texts and an occasional facebook post the day to day banter has diminished. Be warned my lovelies you will be hearing from your mother in the month of March.
April – Confront One Uncomfortable Task or Obstacle Measurement Device – Undecided
We all have that chore, unreturned phone call, or nagging item on our to-do list, that is just plain unpleasant. But, as time has proven again and again, once you suck it up and complete it, you feel like the world just got a little brighter. April is the month of Nike, “Just Do It”.
May – Eat Breakfast Everyday Measurement Device – My Belly
June – Eat One Healthy Meal a Day Measurement Device – See Above
The San Diego County Fair opens June 1st and runs through July, 4th. Working in a fast paced environment with long hours, daily healthy meals become a luxury. Hopefully, May will help establish good breakfast habits that will spill into June.
July – Hand Write a Personal Letter or Thank You Note Measurement Device – 31 Envelopes
The old fashion use of pen and paper is not only kind, but sends a message of sincere appreciation. Rekindling the lost art of penmanship is a step toward better human to human communication.
August – Read 30 Minutes a Day Measurement Device – Page Numbers
Building off July, this task will be sweeter accomplished if the content read comes from an actual magazine or book. On-line or digital reading is good, but there is a connection when you hold a book in your hands. If you don’t believe me, visit your local library and browse. It will do you good.
September – Do Something for Myself, EVERYDAY Measurement Device – Calendar
A basic belief of mine is, happiness starts within. To be the best mom, wife, friend, or employee, you first have to be the best you. What defines you is not your career or your family, but who you are at your core. Take care of you and the possibilities are endless.
October – Write 1,667 Words a Day Measurement Device – Word Count
November is National Novel Writing Month and challenges the would-be author to compose 50,000 words. Breaking that down to a daily average, that would be 1,667 words a day. Need I say more.
November – Prepare for the Holidays One Day at a Time Measurement Device – List
December – Appreciate Family & Friends Measurement Device – My Heart
If I conquer my quest for November, the most wonderful time of the year should be smooth sailing.
For the record, I did not complete 10,000 steps each and every day in January, but I did easily achieve over 70,000 steps a week. As Ronald Reagan so eloquently stated, “there are no limits of human intelligence.” I hope by the time we ring in 2019, I discover there are no limits to emotional intelligence, wonder and new habits.
Happy New Year
a little bit about a lot of things 