LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE

If you’ve already given up on your New Year’s resolution, you’re not alone.

Truth be told, when I set my resolutions I know I’m not going to do much with them in January. I never knew why until recently.

Why doesn’t January feel like the right time to set goals?

You probably don’t know how January (and February) got added to the calendar.

In 700 BCE, the 304 day Roman calendar did not align with the seasons. January and February were added to the end of the calendar for this reason.

Julius Caesar chose January to be the start of the New Year in 46 BC. He did this because January is believed to be the doorway to the new year.

In ancient Roman culture, Janus was a god of beginnings, doorways and the rising and setting of the sun.

To me January feels more like the month of contemplation and pondering what our new year resolutions might be.

I feel we don’t give ourselves enough time to set resolutions. We hurry to have something on paper or vaguely in our heads to keep up with modern day expectations.

I challenge you to stop setting resolutions that fail.

Here’s the secret: January is not the right time!

Neither is February for that matter.

Up until 700 BC, March was the start of the year. It was also the start of war season because the wintery weather was over.

Here are 2 things you can do to get your goal setting back on track.

1. Use February as a tool to notice what is important to your life’s mission. Don’t rush yourself. Look at what you’ve always wanted to do. Ponder why it hasn’t happened. Become more aware of what keeps you from living life on your terms. Get a journal and keep track.

2. Declutter your life so you have space to take action in March. We can’t bring something new into our lives until we have space. Mental and emotional real estate are vital to your success. Unclutter your mind by meditating and getting excellent sleep. Stay away from toxic people who don’t value your dreams and desires. Take a little 2-day vacation into nature or visit a quiet coffee shop or bookstore. Determine what you need to get rid of so you can live your dream.

Let me give you an example. I love to write. It’s my 1st love and the thing I will never give up. Yet I struggle. I have 2 books that need to be written. One a memoir. The other very funny. Why am I not writing them? What is getting in my way?

Take a second and think of something you want to do but aren’t. What’s getting in your way?

As I sit and ponder I realize that timing is essential. Last year I was not able to finish my memoir. I lacked clarity. I also have too many books and papers in my writing space. I must declutter. January was the perfect time for this.

Taking time to think helps me see more clearly what I need to do.

Now that you’ve pondered a bit, what will you do? What thoughts have come up? Do you need to de-clutter your mind? Is there space in your life to do what you truly desire? Is the timing right? What is getting in your way?

I’d love to hear from you and help you live a fulfilling and happy life in 2020. Share your goals, thoughts, dreams by emailing me at maryjobriggsaustin@gmail.com .