Hi, Neighbour,
Have you been thinking about what 2021 has in store for us? After 10 months of ever-present uncertainty and adjustments to our expectations, it’s been wearing on our spirit and produced new societal issues. You know what I’m talking about and, if you’ve successfully made appropriate shifts, you and your family are getting used to a New Normal. You’re rearranging your indoor spaces, or using the Great Outdoors for exercise or a change of scenery. I remember my mother saying: A change is as good as a holiday. Well, we’ve all had lots of potential ‘holiday time’ in 2020. But how did we find the motivation to make the changes?
A few times in 2020, I made a list of all the little jobs around the house that needed to be done — that have been waiting for that Rainy Day at Home, to get done. But we’ve had a hundred of those days in 2020! How can I get motivated to clean up that box of old photos, give away those clothes I don’t wear, or fix that broken lamp? Sometimes, when I know I’ve only got a limited time to finish a task, or I’m facing an impending deadline, it motivates me to get my act together and do the task… sometimes.
One thing that has helped me, has been James Clear’s book (& CD) called Atomic Habits. It’s at the City Library, by someone who never thought of himself as a writer, until he began to share his experiences, starting with a major, life-changing event as a teenager. James breaks down what it takes to create good habits and even get rid of bad ones. Boy, do I need that! But I want to be successful and not hope for big changes, that I can’t achieve. I want to start small, with a new, good habit that will easily fit into my daily routine. James gives examples of how the effects of small habits compound over time, producing BIG results!
So the words that shout out at me are PATIENCE… and then PLANNING. I’m sure I’ll weaken, but I have to be PREPARED for those times, to forgive myself and look ahead, with adjustments if necessary.
My ultimate GOAL is far away! A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step (Chinese proverb). Great things commence with simple beginnings. The GOAL needs to be broken down into manageable, achievable outcomes, like Key Performance Indicators (KPI). How I get there — the PROCESS — needs to be planned. James breaks down what it takes to create a process of change that will bring long-term rewards. Which beings me to the biggest change of all — your self-image. That happens over time, as a result of the small changes, good habits, you create on the road to your ultimate goal.
My goal for 2021 will take more than 1 year, I think, and lots of Atomic Habits.
Fiona