I love the New Year and the opportunity for a fresh start.   I love deciding on my new goals and what I want to do in the new year.  But I despise the word “resolutions”.

There’s something about the word RESOLUTION that just turns my stomach and makes me feel defeated already.  I guess it is because when I set a new year’s “resolution”, I feel like I have to start January 1; I have to either “refrain from” or “vow to do” something every day.  If I mess up, it’s over and then I have to give in and wait until next year.  I feel pressure to keep up with other people’s resolutions.  I feel pressure to do things that the world thinks I need to do.

We typically think of New Year’s resolutions as 1) getting our homes organized; 2) losing weight; 3) saving more money.  These are things that sometimes just make us roll our eyes and think “what’s the use?”  We’ve done them every year and 365 days is a long time to stay committed to something every day.  But what if we decide to change our mind-set and look at this through positive eyes instead of “eye rolling”?

Think about setting goals instead of resolutions.
Start when YOU say you start and don’t worry about January 1.
What are you passionate about?
What makes you smile?
What do you enjoy doing?

Why don’t you take those things and improve on them and make your goals positive this year?  And then, if you want, throw in a few “eye rolling” things you know you need to improve upon.

If you love riding your bike but don’t really like going to the gym and exercising, maybe you set a goal of logging so many miles this year on your bike.  Then you get to do what you like AND get healthier.

Do you want to do more kindness acts for other people but think you don’t really have time and money?  Maybe you send a card a week to someone; it doesn’t take a lot of money; people appreciate it and you get the joy of showing kindness.

Maybe you want to be organized but dread the huge task.  Take it one day at a time and allow yourself the whole year.  I found a very detailed website that maybe will help you do one thing a day but allow your home to be organized at the end of the year – Goal Accomplished! [home-storage-solutions-101.com]

Whatever works for YOU is what you should do.  This is not about other people’s goals.  It’s not about resolutions and failure and being miserable.  It’s a fresh start.  It’s about how to enjoy life and improve yourself in the areas YOU want to focus on.  It’s about taking things you love doing and sharing with others.  Start 2016 on a Positive Note!  No eye rolling.  No dreading each day.  No “Oh brother – another resolution!”  But a “today is a new day and it’s a new year and I’m going to enjoy every day” mentality!

Don’t dread it………….embrace it…………make it YOURS…….make it Positive………make it fun!  Happy 2016 and may all your goals come true!