Hate Making New Year's Resolutions? Do This Instead
Amy Blaschka
Professional Image Consultant & Social Media Ghostwriter | I help leaders elevate their presence in person and online to communicate and connect better, magnifying their impact. | Forbes Leadership Contributor
It's the end of the second week of January: have you made—and stuck to—your New Year's resolutions?
If you're cringing in your chair right now, don't despair. Resolutions are tough. Think about it: they're often made in the heady veil of a New Year's Eve party where anything seems possible. You vow to lose that stubborn 10 (okay, 15) pounds and eat healthier. You promise yourself that this is the year where you'll finally get over your fear and take action to go after your dream job or to travel the world.
Unfortunately, research shows that most of us are doomed to fail at our pledges, especially as time goes on: while about three-quarters of people stick to their New Year's resolutions during the first week of January, that figure drops to under half by June.
Rather than let those depressing statistics bring you down, I'd like you to consider a positive alternative suggested by a creative friend of mine: pen a New Year's letter to your future self.
Seem overwhelming? It needn't be. Here are some tips to get you started:
Look Back To Look Forward
Before writing your letter, reflect back on your previous year: what were your successes? What fell short of your expectations? What changed in your world? Consider, too, those times when you most felt alive and fulfilled...or frustrated and uninspired. Jotting down these moments will give you clues as to what matters most to you—and may even surprise you. When you connect the dots by reviewing where you've been and how you got to where you are today, it will be easier to make adjustments and set new goals that align with your envisioned future.
Don't Be Too Harsh An Editor—Or Writer
In crafting your work, resist the urge to edit and instead, allow yourself to include everything that will help you achieve your goals. Write down your loftiest aspirations as well as the smaller wins. Describe the ideal environment and its people, the behaviors to adopt and the bad habits to change.
Also important is to use the same tone you would if you were writing to a beloved friend. Remember, this is a letter to your future self; be kind and gentle, encouraging and supportive.
Ask Yourself How You Want To Feel A Year From Now
Imagine it's January 2020— what do you hope to be celebrating? Challenge yourself to be curious about the possibilities, and consider what your new career story might be. There is power in visualizing your desired future, writing it down, and then watching your life manifest in kind. Even if it doesn't unfold the way you imagined, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you learn about yourself in the process—and be able to use that knowledge to make adjustments for your next letter.
The beauty of writing your future self a New Year's letter is that you control the narrative. And this is one story that is sure to have a happy ending.
This article was first published on Forbes.com.
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Clients come to Amy when they want to communicate in an uplifting and empowering manner. At Park City Think Tank, she and her partners elevate organizational performance by helping you talk to individuals as individuals… instead of as “employees” or “customers.”
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5 年Today will be a 'past' tomorrow, and 'future' will always be a tomorrow, and every current year is a new year, so we are creating a 'past' everyday.