Here is what you need to do now to make real changes in your life.
First, stop thinking that all change has to happen at the beginning of something: the year, the month, the week. You can start something new any time you want. It seems cleaner to start on the first of the year, the first of the month or a Monday, but it doesn’t have to be that way. When you decide to make a change, start when you are ready. That can mean any day, including today. (You don’t even have to wait until tomorrow, for the beginning of a new day. Really. It’s okay.)
Stop trying to change everything all at once. Instead of three or five or twenty resolutions, make one change. Choose one thing that is important to you and decide that you are going to focus on that one thing. It might be about business, family, health or anything else, but choose one area of your life where you are going to make an improvement.
It doesn’t have to be forever. Tell yourself you are going to make the change for 30 days. You can do anything for 30 days, right? Whether it is eating five servings of fruits and veggies, writing 500 words for your book or your blog, walking your dog, reaching out to three potential clients, having dinner as a family, working through a lesson of an online course or anything else you want to do, you can do it every day for 30 days. After the 30 days, you may find that you want to continue or that you at least follow your new habit more often than not. If you want to quit after 30 days, though, that’s fine. (But you have to be the one to break it to your dog that he isn’t getting his nightly walks anymore.)
Take on 30-day projects. Some of the things you want to do may be self-contained projects rather than long-term changes. For example, you might want to clear out and organize your office or learn how to use Photoshop. Just do a little every day and you will be amazed at the progress you can make without feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t beat yourself up. You will miss a day or mess up once in a while during your 30 days. That is to be expected. Don’t waste time thinking that you have failed or completely give up. Just get right back on track as soon as you can.
In 30 days, do it again and make another change. As you take on new challenges, your new habits build on the ones you have already established. Eventually, you will be perfect! ;o)
