Around the New Year is when we usually get a chance to boost our motivation to change. We make resolutions, think about life, and pass the page to begin new projects and new goals. However, once a year is often not really sufficient to achieve consistent growth and change.
So, what can you do?
You can find many more beginnings throughout the year if you give yourself the chance to do so. Challenge yourself to do more every month and set a new goal, project, or idea.
Every month you can try something new and begin a project. It doesn’t have to be anything too complicated. You might want to try a class, cook a new dish, write a new story, draw a picture in a different style.
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
Set a manageable goal. Don’t decide to redo your entire house in one go. Instead, pick something specific, time-bound, and with a clear measure of success.
For example, if you decide to bake a cake, you will have succeeded when you have an (edible) cake on your hands. If you want to try a new kind of exercise, you succeed when you go to the gym once or twice or once per week.
But challenge yourself to do something new each month. Don’t stick to the things you already know. Also, don’t go for the easy things.
Challenge yourself through small steps. Always seek something that forces you to take a step outside your comfort zone. Note that it’s a step: it’s still beyond what you usually do, but it doesn’t involve a huge leap that can make you anxious.
Try to look for things that seem challenging but fun, scary but in a good way, and those that seem like they could be very good for your life. Try things that are healthy, interesting, and connect you with other people.
Challenge yourself to accomplish something new each month and by the end of the year, you will have done 12 new things. You will greet the New Year without the usual anxiety or regret over not doing enough.
“Endings are always tough, but I believe when something ends, there are new beginnings, new opportunities and new things to be excited for, too.”
So, what do you want your first project to be? What will you do next month? What new thing will you bring into your life?
