New Year, Intentional You

It's easy to get pulled into the hype of "New Year, New You." But that's not really how it works. Of course, the new year does offer a fresh start in many ways, and for many of us, it's viewed as a blank canvas or a clean slate to start over and try something new.

Every year, I create a list of goals for three areas of my life: health, personal, and business. However, I've decided to do things differently this year. While I'm still setting aside time for reflection and planning, this year, I'm also preparing for a more intentional year by evaluating my habits and whether they align with my values. 

Inspired by others, I'm going to try the idea of 12 habits in 12 months. For example, I've included habits and challenges such as Reading 10 Pages a Day, a Sugar-Free Month, a No-Spend Month, and Daily Walks. On top of this, I'm already scheduling time for rest and play. Instead of filling my calendar with deadlines and goals, I will prioritize holidays and experiences with my family and friends. 

While creating new habits may seem intimidating, it doesn't have to be. For example, a habit may be as simple as walking the dogs in the morning instead of trying to fit it into a busy day. If you give 12 habits in 12 months a try with me, consider this, at the end of every month, you will have tried something new and committed to doing it for at least a month, which is an accomplishment. On top of that, you will also learn something new about yourself and what's important to you. 

"Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be." Grandma Moses

Whatever you decide to do with your next year, remember that when we create goals and habits that align with our values, they will be easier to stick to and return to whenever we fall off track.