By: Angie Romero
When we made our New Year’s Resolutions at the end of December just a few weeks ago, we developed a sense of hope and enthusiasm for the year ahead. But then, what happens?
Eventually we risk losing our momentum, getting confused along the way and we begin feeling overwhelmed with it all. The typical result: we quit!
Well, guess what? I don’t want you to quit.
See, every day we have the opportunity to make great changes in our lives, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This is why in this article I’ve come up with a general idea that you can apply to each of the upcoming months. They are just guidelines which you can change, modify, move around, etc., or use them as examples to write up your own.
Let’s Begin!
January: Clearly write out your goals.
Yes, I know that you know what you want, but have you actually taken the time to write them out? First point I’d like to make here is the following: if we don’t take the time to write out what we want, will we ever really take the time to make it happen? Food for thought, huh?
Writing our goals works for our advantage simply because it helps us focus on what we want by breaking it down into smaller chucks. Like drawing out a blueprint for something, looking at it and taking the next action that has to be done to keep building. So if you haven’t written down your goals for 2015, this is the month to do them.
February: Just Love.
This is the month we all want a piece of our favorite mythology character responsible for humankind falling in love …. dear old Cupid (or Eros if you go by Greek mythology).
This month, make it a mission to spread love around to all you encounter. No, I’m not asking to declare your eternal passionate love to a complete stranger down the street (lol). What I am suggesting is to simply let those you love know you love them. Send them a letter, an email, even a text. Smile to the people you come across. Have actual meaningful and authentic conversations with your co-workers.
Use this month to find different ways to spread love in your own way.
March: Learn something new!
Spring brings ‘newness’ to nature after months of winter. Learning new things helps our brains stay healthy and active. It also helps us break our monotonous day-in / day-out way of life.
Use this month to finally learn that something new you’ve always wanted, go read a good book that will captivate you with every turn of the page, or even dare to go off road in hopes for an adventure! In other words, try something new this month… whatever that may be for you.
April: Dear Old Uncle Sam!
Yes… in the U.S. this is the month known for our taxes. So now that you are looking at money, how about if we use this month to really do something about our finances? Well, something that isn’t to avoid looking at them.
Ok, take a deep breath here and look back at you January goals (which should be written down somewhere, right??!). Do any of those goals refer to your finances? How about your credit? I don’t know any one person that doesn’t want to improve either one.
Use this month to step it up a notch. If it’s finances, ask yourself what can you do right now to improve this area of your life. If it’s your credit, go get your free annual credit report and see what’s being reported, what you can do about it or just to keep an eye on it.
Hey, if Uncle Sam can come and look at your finances, why shouldn’t you do the same for your own higher purpose?
May: Volunteer somewhere.
There are so many studies reporting how volunteering makes people happier. Use this month to actually use your time on something besides “you”. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but when we really come to look at it we all spend 90% of our lives, well… living OUR LIFE. Our jobs, our families, our kids, our homes, our, our, our….
And, there is nothing wrong with that. However, let’s face it, there are so many people, places and organizations that could use a little help. And a little help goes a long way when done with honesty.
It doesn’t have to be something major (like dedicating 20 hours a week somewhere in the other side of town), or visiting a family in need every night of the week. I mean if you can do these things, awesome! Volunteering can mean providing your helping hands to a neighbor or friend, helping the elementary school your kids go to, or even just spreading awareness through your own social media, peers and family of an organization that needs help.
See what and where you can help out this month.
June: Parenting
All of us, whether we have kids or not, are role models for the children all around us. Children look up to adults to model and describe the world for them. If they are young we try to teach and protect them the best way we can. As they get older we try to guide, encourage and support their dreams, outlooks and lives.
Use this month to see what you can do to help “parent” the children and young adults in your life.
July: Independence
The dictionary defines independence as freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others. For this month I ask you to look for your independence (symbolically speaking) in your life. Is there a personal habit that you would like to break free from? Maybe regain control of a certain area of your life? Or, possibly even (dare I say) finally step away from a bad crowd of friends or people that you know are not of good influence to you?
When we step up and declare our personal independence for our own good, great rewards follow. Just have the courage to step up.
August: Healthy Eating
Summer is ending and the holiday months are approaching. Use this month to review your eating habits and see what healthier choices you would like to make. The changes don’t have to be drastic. For example, add 1 more bottle of water per day to the ones that you are (hopefully) already drinking. Or swap that 6 am coffee for fresh fruit for a few days to give it a try.
You never know, you just might be starting a new healthier habit.
September: Spirituality
Because spirituality means something different to everyone, I won’t even attempt to label it one way or another. I will, however, suggest that this month you open your heart to whatever “spiritual” calling you have and get more involved.
You each know deep down what your spirit is longing for. If it’s to seek more spiritual guidance, knowledge and/or wisdom then do so. If you have felt that you would like to reawaken your own spiritual practice, then do that.
Use this month to reconnect with your own spiritual essence, practice or faith.
October: Dear stress, go away.
If you constantly feel “stressed” use this month to seek ways to relax. I, for example, try to schedule a massage every month to help my body ease once again. Meditation is also a very good stress management tool, as is regular exercise. Use this month to try different relaxation tools and see which one is the best for you.
November: Thankfulness (of course!)
So many things to be grateful for, and yet so many of us run around complaining. Ironic, no? I’ll keep this one very short and sweet: use this month to make a list of 30 different things / people etc that you are thankful for.
December: Celebrate!
Enjoy the festivities! Enjoy time with friends and family! Go to parties… better yet, throw the parties! Life is about having fun! It’s silly to think that we have to schedule time to celebrate, or that we even forget to celebrate. Everything in life is an accomplishment, a blessing and a gift.
Use this month to smile back at 2015, give it thanks for whatever ups and downs came your way, bless it, celebrate it and move on.
Making changes in our life doesn’t have be daunting. Every month we can make a huge impact in our life with such little changes. I hope this article shows you that and guides you along a wonderful year.