Picked up a random poetry book From the crowded shelf. Quick easy hour read: Delight and wonder. Then, Found…
12 Days of Mindful Tips + Resources: Day 5 “Five Golden Rings”
“On the fifth day of Christmas, / My true love gave to me, / Five golden rings,” (The 12 Days of Christmas lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company).
During the past four days, we have focused on:
Four Calling Birds=Identifying a Life Line Person
Three French Hens=Heart, Mind, Soul
Two Turtle Doves=Discovering Needs vs Wants
One Partridge in a Pear Tree=Hope
Today is all about “Five Golden Rings,” or five promises. PlRings are a promise, whether in friendship or marriage, to uphold a vow of commitment. The Free Dictionary defines it as an “indication of future excellence or success.” Before you can promise something to someone else, do you not think you should promise and commit to yourself to actually achieve small, attainable goals?
Keep in mind, your promises need to be measurable and attainable. Do not promise yourself something you can not actually fulfill. You will never be able to achieve something grand like losing 50 pounds in the next year; instead, make it in small chunks, i.e., “I will lose 6 pounds by the end of each month.” Another example might be, “I will pay off all my debts.” Instead, promise to work on paying off one debt at a time (Consider the Dave Ramsey’s idea of the “Debt Snowball Method.”).
Today, I want you to make five promises/goals to make for yourself in the coming year.
Here are some useful strategies for keeping your goals or promises to yourself:
- “Clearly define your goals,” (Kruse). Remember the SMART Goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely. Make sure each goal is something you can achieve in short amounts of time.
- “Track your progress,” (Kruse). Keep track of your progress on a related
app, or on a calendar. We are more motivated when we can actually see our success over time. Reward yourself for successes at specific times. I just started using the “I am Sober- Sobriety Counter” app, which keeps track of my eating and drinking habits to help keep me motivated. I also use a Fitbit Alta to track my daily steps and participate in step competitions with friends. Check lifewire.com for more suggested apps.
- “Find an accountability buddy,” (Taylor). Perhaps your lifeline person or someone who wants to achieve the same promise as you. Having someone to go through the process with you will help you be much more motivated to actually succeed. You can cheer each other on!
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Most importantly though, HAVE PATIENCE (Marciano)! You are not going to see progress overnight. That is why tracking progress and having a buddy for support is so vital to your success.
- “Put it on your schedule,” (Marciano). You will never achieve your goals if you do not make time for them. They have to be something you want so plan for them.
Forbes.com author, Kevin Kruse, says that psychologist, “Dr. Marciano firmly believes that achieving our goals isn’t about willpower. It’s about developing the right skills and strategies that, with patience, will lead to success.”
With the right support and mentality, you will not fall into that same old adage “all or nothing.” I messed up after four days, so I guess I will just try again next year. No! Do not slip into this easy trap! Changing your habits is a lifelong process helping you to feel better over time, not all at once.
Assignment for “Five Golden Rings”
What are five goals you have for yourself? Look at your chart from day two. Once you overcome your wants that interfere with your goals by developing your root system, you will see how realistic are your goals in actuality.
Task #1– In your journal make your list but be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. *Notice, if you do not want to make five goals, just maker one to three to start small and work your way up to more later. Do consider: How can your root system help you achieve your goals, especially your hope?
Goal #1
Goal #2
Goal #3
Goal #4
Goal #5
Task #2– Explain how you will measure your progress, i.e with an app or spreadsheet, or even a whiteboard or a poster board you hang on a wall somewhere, to mark your progress daily or weekly. Will you find an accountability buddy to help you track your progress?
Task #3– Describe how you are going to attain the goal(s). What are your specific steps for success? Will you find a self-help book, or an app, or a trustworthy blogger? Will you find specific steps from a professional (perhaps doctor, nutritionist, trainer, etc.)?
Task #4– Now set a time for your goal(s). Make it something that is sooner rather than later.
Here’s a bonus book from Amazon to check out:
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
Tomorrow, we will check in to find out about day #6 in our “12 Days of Mindful Tips + Resources” and figure out the “Six Geese A’Laying” concept.
I am loving writing these posts! I hope you are finding something useful out of them too! Please comment with your reactions!
References:
Kruse, Kevin (n.d.). “A Psychologist’s Secrets To Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick”. Forbes.com. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/01/03/making-new-years-resolutions-stick/#e6b31c46903a.
Taylor, Jane. (n.d.). “3 Ways to Keep a Promise to Yourself”. Habits for Wellbeing. Retrieved from: https://www.habitsforwellbeing.com/3-ways-to-keep-a-promise-to-yourself/.