Lasting Change for the New Year!

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Each year, as the new year begins, there is quite a bit of pressure from all sides to make changes, big changes, and to make them right away. But what if there is a different way? Maybe changes can happen in small ways and maybe they can happen in the time you set. Consider the following:

Slow down
I know, I say it all the time, but truly, take a breath. Maybe three. Or ten. Think about one thing you’d like to change. Is it cleaning out the car or maybe the attic? Or maybe it’s taking more vacations? Pick one thing, big or small, that comes to mind.

Map it out 
Consider how long it will take to achieve this change, and how long you are willing to give yourself. This is your timeline, but make it specific. “I will clean out the trunk of my car by the 15th of this month.”

Know your Why
 Why do you want to clean out the car? Why do you want to make more time for vacation? This is important to maintaining motivation. Make sure the reason comes from you. For instance, “I will plan and schedule a vacation in the next 45 days because it is important to me to practice good self-care.”

Commit
Make a commitment to you. Reserve the right to change your mind about your goals, but know your why. Maybe, “I will not clean out the trunk of my car because it serves to me to keep it messy.” Hey, they’re YOUR goals. Own it.  See what happens. Prepare for your own success. 
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-Maureen Kelleher, ATR, LPC
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