As of today, Jan. 5, 2011, I realize many of you have already made, and possibly broken, your New Year’s Resolutions.
But remember, it’s never to late to start anew.
I enjoyed Kevin’s tongue-in-cheek column in last week’s paper about identifying our flaws in order to devise effective New Year’s Resolutions, but I’m taking on a different perspective this week. So many resolutions are made about loss and about what’s wrong with us: we want to quit caffeine, we want to lose weight, we want to stop doing this or to stop being that.
So my thought is, instead of giving up something like coffee, copious amounts of self-tanner or AquaNet hair spray, driving your car, cheese, or picking your nose (like the young son of one of my Facebook friends), why don’t you take on something new this year?
If you’re looking to lose weight, how about taking a different approach this time around? Instead of making your resolution “to lose X pounds by Valentine’s Day,” why don’t you make your resolution “to learn and dance salsa two to three times a week?” I guarantee you’ll lose weight and you’ll have fun doing it, too.
Instead of days of deprivation, why don’t we make 2011 a year of exploration?
Think about something you’ve always wanted to do … Has it been your lifelong dream to play a musical instrument? What about scuba diving? Training for a triathlon? How about trying to cook a new type of food, learning to speak Japanese, or competing in a dodgeball tournament? How about finally giving up on the Buffs and becoming a Husker fan?
Well, you’re in luck. There are people right here in our own community who have done these things. I’m going to be working on a series of articles over the next several weeks in the Blade to talk about different things you can try this year.
As for myself, I’ve got a few things I’m working on in 2011: I’m going to 1) improve my tango dancing, 2) do more yoga, and 3) try to find a way to fulfill my weird dream of playing in a polka band.
It’s a funny thing that happens. As you begin to work on resolutions that you actually enjoy, your life improves. Since about Thanksgiving, I’ll admit that I haven’t been eating very healthy. I want to be healthier this year. But I know myself, if I resolve, “to eat healthier,” it’s not going to get me very far. I’ll be back drinking Coke and eating the French silk pie from King Soopers in no time flat. Instead, I made a resolution “to do yoga at least twice a week.” I love yoga and I know that when I do yoga, I tend to make healthier choices all around, like eating right and exercising more.
What is one thing that by Dec. 31, 2011, you would like to be able to say that you’ve tried this year?
There are three easy steps to getting it done within the next 360 days. First, quickly write down a short list of things that you’ve always wanted to try. Don’t hold back when you’re creating your initial list. Check out the articles in the next few issues of the Blade for ideas and come up with some creative new ideas of your own.
Next, circle a couple of things on your list that you would like to complete before 2011 is over. Just pick one, maybe two or three at the most, things you want to accomplish. I know how easy it is to get excited and come up with a huge list of things you want to get done and to try to do them all simultaneously. But instead of going overboard then getting overwhelmed, it might be easier to start with one goal, complete that, then move on to the next.
Finally, come up with one action you can do today to get started toward your goal and put it on your schedule. For instance, my New Year’s Resolution, which will get me started on my goal of improving my tango dancing, is to go dancing at least once a week. I’ve checked the local dance calendar and already called friends to see which ones are able to come out dancing with me Thursday.
By this time next year, hopefully you will have finally climbed that 14er or played your accordion aside the local polka masters. So what are you waiting for? You only have 360 days until 2012. Get to it!
