Micro Resolutions

Better 7 was created because I enjoy a good experiment and a good challenge.  It helps to give me a focus and I read a lot of really great ideas and I see what other people are doing to increase their well being, and I say to myself, "I want to try that." There are so many wonderful little adjustments that we often want to make to our lives and we just need a structure and framework to do it.

Some experiments are better suited to be a 30 day challenge, such as the well known Whole 30 diet (read about that here), and other changes can be a 7 day challenge, to see if it's worth continuing.

Last year, I was listening to the podcast from Young House Love and John was referencing this concept of micro-resolutions and I instantly became intrigued. Every January loads of people make a whole slew of resolutions that are rarely kept throughout the entire year.  This is often discouraging and then people obtain a mindset that they can't stick to the goals that they make.  But what if we could change that?  What if we set micro-resolutions instead?  Essentially, the micro-resolutions could be the short term goals that lead to the actual goal for the year, thus placing your focus on achieving the short term goal which will increase your chances of achieving your long term goal.

Another approach to micro-resolutions could be for those who want to set a lot of goals. I fall into this category and often set lots of goals for myself when the New Year rolls around. I really enjoy setting goals and thinking about the person that I would like to become. I heard this quite yesterday and it really resonated with me,

"It is in the doing, not in the thinking that we achieve our goals." (Unknown)

I'm notorious for thinking and thinking about things but never actually pulling the trigger.  I'm not sure what holds me back but for some reason, the idea of doing something for a month doesn't seem as daunting as committing to something for a year. Knowing this, helps me take the plunge and if it isn't something that I want to continue, then I move on to the next goal when my 30 days are over.

Micro-resolutions are also nice because you don't have to decide all of your goals for the whole year at once.  Just pick five and do those for the first five months and then pick five more. This allows for some flexibility and wiggle room with your goals. Goals need to be attainable and when you select too many at one time, it makes it much more difficult to stick with any of them.  So, simplify things for yourself and focus on one at a time. One goal for one month.

Here are some of the goals that I have written down, that I would like to do this year:

Write more letters as well as acknowledge with a letter any gratitude or appreciation I have for someone.
Read more books
Write in my journal weekly
Learn to sew
Continue learning the piano
Improve my singing by joining the church choir
Sign up for an anatomy class

What is your take on New Years resolutions? How do you set goals for yourself and what are some of your 2018 goals?