How to succeed in your new year's resolutions
Dear Creative Soul,
A couple of years ago, one of my new year's resolutions was to write every day. It seemed an easy goal to set as writing is my passion.
I also set a rule that I shouldn't make any plans as to what to write each day. I would just put my fingers on the keyboard and type type type, or pen to paper and write write write.
Guess what? I didn't.
Resolutions all signify a willingness to change, but they don't come with simple steps to live them each day. I didn't do anything to make it happen. I didn't have a plan. I didn't make time for it. didn't create space for it. This last one has to be quite literary. My office was an ungodly mess :)
I didn't build in any sort of system to get myself to write. My mind was happy, because I intended to do something, but there was no actual writing. This whole mess made me realise two things:
- My mind likes resolutions. They are like hanging up blank canvases with a post it note to do something, but then not doing the actual work. Resolutions are like pie. Eating pie makes you happy, but it isn't sustenance for your whole life. You need a plan :)
- Nothing happens without a plan.
No matter what your resolution is, follow it up with a plan.
Get a pen, get paper and jot ideas down. Sometimes it can be as simple as setting a daily alarm for creativity. It may sound stupid but it helps!
Love,
Sylvia
A fun journaling exercise!
Here’s how to make a plan in three simple steps!
Step 1: Write down your big, overwhelming goal and underline it. In my example this is: to write every day, no matter how little.
Step 2: Write down below it what you need to do to make that goal work. For instance, if your goal is to write each day, you could ponder what you need to make that a success. You may need to have a journal or a blog to write on, or a book idea to work on, or a list of ideas you could write on your blog. Be specific!
Step 3: Set reminders. What time of the day would be perfect for you to work on your plan?
Are you a morning person? Get up a little bit early to write.
Do you have time in the evening while dinner is cooking? Put on dinner, and start to write.
Set yourself up for success!
is your goal writing every day, like mine? Bring a notebook. Seriously. Bring it, and write whatever comes to mind. It's such a great tool for clarity.
Is your goal making daily sketches? Carry a sketchbook around.
A block a day for a quilt? Carry your tools with you.