Sharing is caring!

How’s the resolution going so far? We are now just over two weeks into the new year and the reality is many out there have already packed it in.

The resolutions we make, we break every year, usually minutes after writing them down. Problems arise, we get off track, get sick, or some other distraction mounts an all out assault on our lives.

It becomes difficult to stick to a plan for a few days, never mind 12 months. It is at this point that we think we’ve failed and then we give up.

Two more weeks from now any hope of achieving what we set out to achieve at the start of the year is a distant memory.

Whoa Todd, pump your brakes on the negativity right? After all I constantly write about reframing your thoughts and getting rid of negativity.

Today is no different. We are going to take at a few concepts that will help you succeed this year despite any resolution or whether or not you stick to it. To be honest, I could care less.

What is far more important is your continued evolution and the development of your strength of character.

Something you can work on right now to simplify your life is to change your attitude so you want less, and become less worried about loss.

What is unnecessary is a luxury, and a waste.

Why be wasteful when the unnecessary isn’t needed for happiness? When it just gets in the way of happiness and the feelings of being content?

By eliminating the unnecessary, we make room for what is vital and give ourselves clarity of purpose:

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. – Socrates – 

That is probably one of my favorite quotes.

Is it difficult to enjoy less? No, not particularly, but it takes a change in mindset.

Embrace what is right in front of you. Discard the sensation of wanting needless things. It’s ok to have goals and to aspire, but don’t let the need to consume overtake you.

Next up….

Create Good Habits

If you want to become a master of your craft create good habits.

Developing good habits isn’t easy, but it’s definitely possible. Anything worth doing is going to take some effort. So, set your mind to doing something which takes willpower and prepare yourself for some discomfort.

I first learned this concept during my Army basic training. I had no idea how to be a soldier but I wanted to be the best I could. That meant a lot of very late nights and very early mornings…

The first thing to realise is that the majority of people underestimate how much effort it takes to commit to a new habit. It’s easy to start a habit, or even several of them at once.

Sticking to them is another story. If you commit to forming one small, beneficial habit at a time then you’ll have more success.

Make the habit as tiny as possible. Whatever you think you should do, do less. Then, if possible, less again.

Practise yourself, for heaven’s sake, in little things; and thence proceed to greater. – Epictetus

You might think you can change your entire diet all at once, but this isn’t likely. Only try to change a habit once a day, and again, just for a few minutes.

Ingrain the habit then decide if you can expand, but wait a few weeks before you even consider this.

This is how I have approached my morning meditation. When I started it was just 5 minutes a day. It is now up to 13 minutes. It took me forever to increase the time, however my day no longer feels the same if I somehow miss it.

You’re Not Alone – We’re In this together

Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness – Euripides –

Never a truer word has been spoken.

I have experienced this (as I am sure have you) at various different times in my life. There are times when we feel that even if we are standing in a crowd, we are alone.

You must go through life on our own terms, and attempt overcome occasional feelings of loneliness and despair in our own way.

How can you do this? The answer is in connecting with other human beings. We can share our suffering, our experiences, our common trials.  The problems we face no longer become impossible when we have someone to face it with us.

You should also understand that what is happening to you, has happened to many others before you. You are not alone. Someone understands and can offer insight.

And so the cycle is completed. Once you have endured, you become a potential network of support for someone else. Helping others with their problems so they can reciprocate is a very noble pursuit which contributes to the success of an individual and our larger community.

Be someone who takes action

And finally, the most important activity is that your make sure that you commit to acting on the above principles. Action is everything.

If you take daily action on improving how you want to exist in this world then there’s almost no way that you won’t have the best possible 2017.

Stand Apart

Todd