Being me: Week 3

You are never to old to set another goal or dream a new dream ~C.S. Lewis 

Being me: Week 3 - Create your YES list!  Goals, baby steps, tiny promises

January theme: The best time for new beginnings is now

To begin any new goal you need to follow through with the promise, the yes I can. Deciding this is important to you, no excuses creates the habit. If instead, you justify the circumstances of why you can't do for you, things can never change. 

A few years ago I felt depleted and began a mindful quest in noticing how I used my time. Often my days were spent doing for others leaving no energy for myself or wasted in mindless tasks of distraction. Even the simplest promises I made would fizzle. I uncovered change in the small moments I dedicated to myself. Decisions like drinking lemon water first thing in the morning became a gift to me and my health. 

Other steps, included making time for reading which made small accomplishments that felt big. Using minutes a day, over time, I could finish another book I would not have previously read. Becoming aware of my time and breaking each goal into smaller steps helped me to reach further.

It takes from 21 to 66 days to create a habit. In order to establish that habit you have to set yourself up for success. In the evening I set my glass, lemon and vitamins near the coffee pot, as well as have the computer turned off and the book already located where I will sit down, as well as any journals or any other pieces necessary for the "routine" I want to include.

Allow 30 days to decide if a habit fits, or maybe attempt 2 to 3 small habits each month, if you don't think it will overwhelm you. Make it fun, plan in your calendar ahead of time so when you turn the page, the reminder is there.

• drinking warm lemon water every morning
• 10K steps
• running or moving daily
• 20 minutes of exercise daily
• meditation
• reading
• adding more vegetables to diet
• quit smoking
• grow in faith
• empty sink every night
• make bed every morning
• limit screen time (one day a week no social media OR no weekday facebook)
• look for a class, sign up, attend
• decide this year will be different and be the difference

 Themes for each month to journal, create or contemplate on your journey

• January - The best time for new beginnings is now

1. Morning routine
2. Mission statement
3. Create your YES list
4. Goals, baby steps, tiny promises
5. Putting it in motion

• February - Before anything else, find yourself, be yourself and love yourself
• March - All you need is tea and warm socks
• April - Water your roots so your soul can blossom
• May -  The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment
• June - Believe you can and your halfway there
• July - Bold stripes, bright stars, brave hearts
• August - We are who we choose to be
• September - Sometimes we can learn and study & know, and sometimes we have to believe, trust and hope
• October - We can't become what we want by remaining what we are
• November - Small seeds of gratitude will provide a harvest of hope
• December - Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of hope

Being Me weekly blog posts