New Year resolutions are a popular thing not to do. I remember it being a thing when I was younger, but now the more common thing to say is “My resolution is not to make a resolution,” or “I like being in a rut and not challenging myself because I’m incredibly unhealthy and/or lazy.” This last line may not be what people actually say, but what I hear. Whether you make resolutions or not, here are two really great activities that you should consider doing because they’re simple and wonderful for making a great year. If you’re a keener and want a third option check out my post from two weeks ago based on the song “These are a few of my favourite things.”
- Thankful List (or Quick Prayer Idea): For the last 3 years I’ve taken a small calendar and each day written 8 things I’m thankful for. I do 8 because that’s all I could fit in the calendar’s little square, but you can aim for 3,5,7, 10, etc. Every day I would write simple things I was thankful for from a good drive, a show I got to watch, something nice I was able to do, a nice thing that happened to me, being able to bite my tongue when I wanted to be rude to someone, or something that’s just a positive thing. Avoid generalities like “family, friends, I woke up…” and be more specific. If I saw a friend that day, I would include seeing him or her, but it’s meant to be day specific. It’s pretty neat because after awhile you can see all the positive things in your life, and it’s particularly great at the end of the year to remind yourself of how good the year actually was or how strong you were to persevere. For me, these were things I used to thank God, but you can simply have them as a positive experience for you.
Bonus Options: Last year I also added someone to pray for, so I would think of someone else and this year I’m adding 1 compliment to myself to remind me that I did something good in the day. This set up is great for building self esteem, and for following healthy prayer techniques.
- 30 Things You Want: From Jack Canfield’s book The Success Principles, an activity he suggests doing is writing out 30 things you want. When it says “want” it doesn’t mean it’s like a list to Santa, but more of a list of emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual needs. My suggestion is to have several columns: Things you want this year, things you want in the general future, and thing you want in general. 30 things may sound like a lot, but once you start things tend to flow. Here are a couple examples:
Things I Want this Year: To find a church I want to be part of, to publish a book, to get good at my job, build my practice to 15 clients a week, to perform 30 weddings, etc.
General Future: To work out regularly, to enjoy dessert (means I need to watch my general health so I can continue this), etc.
General: To make people who have helped me feel proud of their influence and support, people proud to have me in their life, to take advantage of opportunities, to have an accomplishment that stands out as something special, etc.
May this year be a great start to a full and happy life.
Rev. Chad David, www.ChadDavid.ca, learning to love dumb people