After doing a considerable amount of research and reading on the topic of resolutions, I decided to give 2014 a theme in place of a traditional list of wistful hopes. As someone who tends to think big picture, I find that I can't sustain an interest in a detailed list of things I must improve. However, if I set a theme in place for the year, it better satisfies my desire for a connecting concept rather than scattered if-onlys.
With that in mind, I decided on the following theme for 2014:
Discipline.
Discipline because I stay at home with Pip, and I have to set my own schedule. Discipline because the foods I have been putting into my body are less than desirable. Discipline because I use busyness and the baby as excuses for not working out or cooking nutritious meals. Discipline because it's finally time to start writing that book - and the only things standing in the way of achieving what I want to achieve are my own laziness and excuses.
I am hoping that instead of creating an overwhelming list of obligations that is impossible to sustain, a theme will serve as a reminder, for example, when I'm about to go to bed and really don't feel like flossing. Discipline. Or when my alarm goes off at 6 to work out before the baby gets up, and I just want one more hour of sleep. Discipline.
This quote from Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People will serve as a reminder when I just don't feel like doing something that's good and important.
"[The strength of your purpose] requires independent will, the power to do something when you don't want to do it, to be a function of your values rather than the function of the impulse or desire of any given moment."
I really can't sum it up any better than that. I must let my purpose and deeply thought out values guide me rather than capricious impulses.
This doesn't mean I will lose spontaneity in my life, just that I will make better decisions regarding my daily habits to create a healthier, stronger framework (financially, physically, spiritually, intellectually) so that I am able to have impromptu adventures.
So, discipline. Here we go, 2014. Let's make it a memorable year full of good decisions, adventure, sheer joy, and laughter.
Here is some further reading on the topic of one word resolutions or themes:
The Happiness Project: Choose One Word to Set the Tone for Next Year
Strategic Simplicity: the problem with new year's resolutions (and how to fix it)
The Huffington Post: Why a New Year's Theme Works Better Than a Resolution
What would your one word theme be for 2014?
No comments:
Post a Comment
join the conversation