I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions. And I don’t like this term either. It’s just a fancy way of saying ‘goals’. And we would always write them at the beginning of the year, riding the wave of excitement in the air of something new and novel only for it to go out of the window or for us to forget in just mere days. Some of us, maybe hours.
I think it’s important to write down our goals. But you see, I think we don’t really need to write them down actually. Because we always remember our goals — at least the important ones.
What we really need to write down is what we all tend to forget.
The steps to reaching our goal.
Our goals are like the peak of a mountain. Just thinking of getting to the top will get us nowhere. It’s only when we take the first step. Step by step, we move our feet. We’re getting somewhere. We don’t really know where we are yet, but we know where we want to reach. And then we look back, not realizing how far we’ve walked. Sure, we’re not at the top yet. But at least we’re not at the base of the mountain, our feet frozen in our fears.
So stop fantasizing about your goals. Start thinking about how to get there. And not just how to get there using everyone else’s methods. But to get there your way. Because only you know you. Other people’s methods may not work for you. It’s something we have to figure out on our own. And we won’t get it immediately.
It’s trial and error.
Sure, it takes time, and ugh… effort. But what great things don’t? Trying other people’s methods might work for some but would they be permanent? Are you able to make that part of your everyday life?
Think of practical ways you can help yourself. Customize your day-to-day to you!
Don’t just say ‘I want to get fit’. Anyone can say it. Not everyone can fulfill it.
How do I get fit?
– I like dancing. So maybe I’ll take dance classes or do some Fitness Marshall videos on Youtube.
– I hate the gym but I like hiking. Maybe it’s time to explore some of these places I’ve put on hold for the longest time.
– I don’t like running but I do like basketball.
I want to meet new people. How?
– Join a community club.
– Learn a skill or hobby I’ve always wanted to do.
– Join a Meetup group.
Take small practical steps that work for you. Write them all down and take each day to figure out which you want to invest your time in and how you can allocate your time to each of them.
If there are too many things you want to do, spread them out. Save the less urgent ones for the following year.
Life is too short to worry and do nothing, to spiral in your own thoughts and fears.
Only you can decide how you want to live your life to the fullest and to your satisfaction and contentment.
Stop thinking. Start doing.
—
This post was previously published on medium.com.
***
You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
White Fragility: Talking to White People About Racism | Escape the “Act Like a Man” Box | The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer | What We Talk About When We Talk About Men |
—
Photo credit: Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash