New Year Resolutions are notorious for being relegated to the dustbin within a few days of the start of the new year. My son, who is a personal fitness trainer is very busy for the first few weeks of the year. His gym is full on January 1, but by January 15, it’s emptied to the resolute few who were diligent in their workouts throughout the previous year. “The more things change, the more they remain the same”?
It’s as if we set ourselves up to fail, yet we persevere every year to set those resolutions, convinced that THIS is the year for us to achieve them! And chances are, we won’t.
What’s not working with resolutions? A Google search reveals a few reasons:
- They are too vague, so we have no measure of success.
- They are overambitious, as we try to make them inspiring and challenging. We want big things in our lives, so we set big goals.
- There’s no accountability – we make the resolutions, but don’t set up a system to ensure that we DO THE THINGS that are necessary.
Fundamentally, I feel that resolutions are just simply uninspiring, boring even, for such a magnificent aspiration as living our best lives. So, what’s an alternative?
For years, I have created a Vision for my new year. Here’s what I do, either at the end of the old year, or in the early days of the new year:
THE 2024 VISION EXERCISE:
Sit in silence for a few minutes, breathe slowly and mindfully, allowing your mind the freedom to be unfettered. See yourself on December 31, 2024, the last day of your year of more.
On a blank sheet of paper answer the following questions in detail:
- What has happened in 2024 to make it a great year for you? Describe all areas of your life – family, relationships, work, career, finances, personal growth, etc.
- Describe how you are feeling
- End the statement with gratitude
Why does this work? It is said that all things are created twice – once in the mind and then in the physical realm. Whatever you think about, whether consciously or unconsciously, you create. Your Vision is your beacon of hope, to keep you inspired and motivated throughout the year. Visualising your desired future is a very powerful tool, as you consciously design your life, commit it to the physical realm and then ……. MAGIC! MIRACLES – your vision becomes reality as you manifest in your life what you stated as your desire. But if you are not clear about your vision, then you will have a very fuzzy, confusing and conflicting reality. Creating your vision for 2024 will:
- Set your intentions very clearly.
- Focus you on what’s important to YOU.
- Help you to prioritise.
- Guide you in making wise decisions.
- Help you to say YES and to say NO.
- Give you the freedom to live life on YOUR terms.
Read your vision every day. I record my vision and play it in the morning when I am exercising, walking Sushi, or making my coffee. This way, I ensure that I start my day positive, focused and in line with my 2024 life.
But, one thing that may seem counterintuitive – don’t be tied to your vision – let it go! That’s why, at the end, I affirm: “THIS, OR BETTER”. This allows you to be open to infinite possibilities and opportunities that are outside of your current imagining.
I look forward to celebrating a magnificent year on December 31, 2024!
To help you in this process, please accept my offering of my annual publication – “A Guide to Creating and Manifesting More in 2024 – Your Most Magnificent Year”.
