I’m great at making resolutions. I’m a champion list maker for anything and everything. I’m also really great at picking areas of my life that I feel I’ve done an utterly crappy job. So resolution lists get made every New Year’s, and often at multiple times during the year as well.As great as I am at making resolutions, I’m not so good at keeping resolutions. Yes, I do make sure my resolutions are measurable and attainable and all those other tips we read about resolution making. The problem, I think, is that I try to change too much at once. I have my long list of what I’m doing wrong and what I need to fix. And after a few days, I get totally overwhelmed and discouraged and just give up - one resolution at a time.
This year, I’ve decided to do something different. Instead of making a list of resolutions, I’m going to work throughout the year on improving myself and my life, one small step at a time. Each week, I will take a baby step toward doing something in my life better. The next week, I’ll pick something new to focus on - hopefully while keeping up on the “resolution” from the week before. If I start to slip on one of the goals, there will be no reason to abandon the whole process, because I can just restart that goal again when another week starts. The idea is to be constantly moving forward throughout the year, one tiny goal at a time.
My goal for this week is an easy one, yet one that is pretty important. You see, I’ve been getting sloppy with my diabetes management over the past month. The first thing that slips when burn-out hits is my oral medications. Throughout the month of December, I’ve been really (really really) lax about taking my cholesterol and blood pressure medication, as well as my iron, Vitamin D and Vitamin C pills. There really is no reason not to take five seconds to swallow down these capsules, other than pure laziness with a bit of forgetfulness mixed in. So, since January 1st, I take my morning pills while waiting for my coffee to brew. And I take my evening pills before hopping into bed. Easy as pie. (Mmmm, pie.) A goal that I know I can continue through the year. Which leaves me feeling good and ready to choose a new goal to work on next week . . .
I totally hear you on making too many "resolutions" or setting too many goals at once. I like your process. This approach is very low stress and a manageable process.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I agree - resolutions can be grand and thus too difficult to achieve. I like the goal approach - particularly the easier to achieve baby step goals. :) Go get 'em Karen!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, I like the baby steps idea. I wish I could remember to take my vitamins. I use to be so on top of it...now I remember come 5 or 6pm.
ReplyDeleteI will be cheering your baby steps on, baby!
I used to try and change everything at once. That never works. One thing at a time! Smart smart smart!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I told you but 2011 is going to be awesome. I can feel it. :)
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThe pill containers help me remember. They have their place on the counter. I fill them once a week. When the dinner dishes are done the evening container gets moved to the coffee pot. That way, when I pre-fill the pot at night, I take those pills.
But, yeah, baby steps.
Happy New Year to you both!
Wow- seems to be a trend I'm hearing several of us saying about not paying enough attention to diabetes lately, ugh. At least we're in good company! I like the use of word goals, instead of resolution and taking away idea of 'failure.'
ReplyDeleteps- so happy this is coming to my inbox now!
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI, too, love to make lists and annually resolve to do all things better. I have to say that I have only once actually "achieved success" with a New Years resolution (with a delayed start date of Jan.9) I quit smoking in 1982. I, too, have decided to set smaller goals this year and I'm going to institute your idea of "one at a time". First up is walk 2 miles, 5 times a week. So far so good!
I love having a reminder in my in box, too!
Happy New Year to you and Pete!