With little over three weeks into 2018, how are your New Year’s Resolutions holding up? Are you still as passionate about them as when you first committed to them? Whether your resolution is health, financial, or personal-growth oriented, simply getting started is the most important thing you can do.
You’ve probably heard that you’re more likely to reach a goal if you write it down. Well that may be true, but how many times have you written down a list of things you’d like to accomplish and then never looked at that list again? – I’m totally guilty of this, my planner is full of well-intentioned goals. However, could the lingering thought of having to make some grand plan and stick to it just be bogging you down? Is making a list preventing you from DOING?
“Do not wait: the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along.” – Napoleon Hill
Maybe instead of trying to craft a “perfect” plan for ourselves we should start. Start waking up early in the morning to go to the gym instead of sleeping in, start drinking water instead of soda, and start saving instead of spending. It’s easy to say, “I’ll start my diet on Monday,” or “Once I get that promotion, I’ll increase my retirement contributions.” Regardless of what you’d like to improve, what if you just started right now?
The truth of the matter is that we are in control of our actions. While we are human, and therefor not perfect, we also do not need to be victims of our circumstances!
“Today is a new day. Don't let your history interfere with your destiny! Let today be the day you stop being a victim of your circumstances and start taking action towards the life you want. You have the power and the time to shape your life. Break free from the poisonous victim mentality and embrace the truth of your greatness. You were not meant for a mundane or mediocre life!” – Steve Maraboli
The moment you decide to alter your disposition and make those changes, is the moment you start making real progress. You can get all the advice, help, and tools you want, but if you don’t start doing and acting those will all be wasted resources.
In conclusion, it is up to you to find whatever method works to reach YOUR goals. It may not be easy (and probably won’t be), but that is part of changing your perspective. In one year will you be in a better place, or in the same place?