January

January strides into rooms like a boss, every hair in place, heels clicking as she walks in like a general inspecting the troops and checking over our plans for the year. 

She peers over glasses perched at the end of her nose, announcing her intentions: We’ll plan the year. We’ll do it right this time. This year will be different.

While I admire January’s grit and the way she continues to show up at my doorstep year after blessed year, I also know the truth: while having a plan helps me navigate a lot of sticky decisions in my life, the actual results of “the plan” are rarely if ever how it actually is in real life.  **

 The Shine is Gone

When the calendar turns and we have a new year before us, we anticipate good things. But then, life happens, we oversleep and miss our morning at the gym, we eat too much, our budget is a mess and realize with a sinking feeling we are already behind. The year has lost it’s shine and soon it begins to look just like all the ones who came before her.

There is even a day in January designated as Blue Monday. It’s the name given, typically the third Monday of the month and it’s said to be the most depressing day of the year. This day has been awarded its gloomy title due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills. 

Photo by Zuzana on Unsplash

 We Want a Do-Over

Maybe January has been bossing you too hard and it’s time to put her in her place just a bit. Perhaps you need a do-over. 

Did you set goals you thought you should do or are they ones you are actually bought into? If you don’t connect with your goal at a deep level, or if they are only a “should” goal,  there is a high chance you will not reach them. Epic fail is on the horizon for you. If you have a goal, that no longer fits, you have permission to cross it off and pick a new one. I promise there are no goal police. You can walk away and choose another. Your goals are yours alone. 

Do you have too many goals? Experts recommend no more than 2-3 goals per quarter. I have two main ones for the first three months of this year. Each of them is working to develop the habit of consistency. Deep inside I know if I move the needle in these two areas I will see a change in other areas of my life too!  Baby steps. 

Do you reward yourself for the progress you are making? It’s incredible how powerful the act of celebrating small wins along the way can be. It may be as small as an X on the calendar or as exciting as splurging on the snazzy bag you’ve had your eye on for months. Throw some confetti or buy yourself some flowers! Goals need to be fun or you will never get past week two. 

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23

Start Here 

Make plans, but hold them loosely. This is not about quitting but rather honesty. Maybe January has been bossing you a little too hard and it’s time to hit pause on your plans and restart with fresh eyes. 

Tell January to calm down. She is not the boss of you. Instead, start to pay attention to what makes you come alive, where the needs and passions are that you think you can help to meet. Choose your goals and invest your time and energy into what matters most to you and where you have the greatest impact.

Start asking questions. If the goals you’ve set aren’t serving you well, change them. Why did you choose them? What will change for you if you reach them? Why does this matter? 

Pay attention to what bothers you. I’ve found when I am tuned into what’s bothering me, it becomes the best kind of catalyst to create change in my life and in those around me. If our goals don’t line up with our values there will be a disconnect from what we say and what we do. 

How have you and January gotten along so far this year? Are there some you need to take and make them ones you love? Do you find celebrating your successes difficult? If yes, what needs to change to make your goals a little more fun? 

Thank you for sharing part of your life with me today. I know your time is priceless and it is a privilege to know you spent some of your day with me.

If you enjoyed what you read here today this girl would celebrate with confetti and a big smile if you would share it (THANK YOU) with your circle of people!! 

 

 

 

** The idea of January personified was first seen in words written by Emily P Freeman**