The first question to ask is, are you still in hurry-hurry mode? Are you running on pure adrenaline? If so, now is the time to write down what you like to do differently next year during this holiday season. Put these notes in your planner or clip them to the September page of your new year calendar.
If your holiday season has been as spiritually rich and emotionally fulfilling as you'd hoped, it may be wise to jot down the most important things to repeat next year.
Now it is time to look ahead, schedule New Year's resolutions, and think about the ways that you would like to improve your life and yourself in the coming year. Reflect on the roles that you fulfill in your daily life. Are you a partner or spouse, a parent, a child, or other family member? What job or jobs do you work on regularly as part of your career or volunteer work?
In which areas would you like to improve yourself? Think about your emotional, intellectual, educational, physical, and spiritual development. Are these in balance? Do you regularly pause to evaluate your personal well-being and progress? Consider adding these to your calendar in place of less fulfilling activities such as junk TV, excessive work days, and time that could be put to better use.
If you are making a New Year's resolutions, also plan how you will achieve them.
For example, if your goal is to lose 10 lbs., how quickly do you intend to do that? Allow a maximum of 2 lbs. a lost per week, and add in a couple of weeks for backsliding and weight loss plateaus.
If your goal is weight-loss, which diet do you plan to follow? Should you see your doctor before starting? Do you have the foods that you need for this diet? Do you have a game plan for lunches at school or work, or occasions when it you may eat out at a restaurant?
Finally, regardless of your specific resolutions, have you chosen a reward for achieving each goal? Will it be adequate to help you keep striving to reach your goal when you encounter obstacles and setbacks?
Because New Year's resolutions often replace the spiritual focus of the holiday season, it's important to schedule some spiritual goals for the new year. Perhaps you would like to spend more time with a spiritual study group. If you don't attend religious services regularly, you may want to add them into your calendar as well.
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