Fresh Starts Week 4

Welcome back to our FINAL week dedicated to fresh starts in 2019. Today we are covering next steps. Often, the new year is a fresh opportunity to reevaluate the things we have not been doing and set some intentions. The stereotypes here look like diet plans and gym memberships and whatnot, but I would encourage you to let your fresh starts reflect the ways your very own life needs to experience growth. Sometimes the thing that can get the next big hurdle to shift is just doing the next right thing.

For example, if you want to start grad school this year but it just seems too daunting, do the next right thing of narrowing your selection pool down to five universities based on your budget or specific programming needs. If you want to completely declutter your house, zero in on the spot that is really getting under your skin and make a goal to completely organize that space by the end of February. If you want to make your relationship with your mom right, do the next right thing of committing to sending a Monday morning text with some encouragement and a prayer for her week. Just doing the next right thing can be the change maker. We are never too busy, old, young, or frustration prone for good change to happen.

1. The Next Right Thing Podcast

The inspiration for this post comes from the podcast linked here. The phrase “The Next Right Thing” has been around for a while but here, author Emily P. Freeman breaks down all the ways we can get mentally, emotionally, or spiritually stuck and provides empowerment to break the barrier. If you don’t listen to podcasts, let your next right thing be listening to this one.

---

2. Set SMART Goals

So in the above examples we talked about breaking a large and intimidating goal into small chunks, but even those small chunks aren’t helpful if they don’t happen. To make sure, make them SMART. That’s specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. So in the case of writing a book being your big daunting goal, a SMART goal might be to write a 300 word (M) introduction (S) and edit it (A)  within the next two weeks (R&T). SMART goals are game changers, and they are made by people who actually want to see some action on their goals.

3. Accountability

Research suggests that goals we practice accountability for are those that usually get achieved. It is so powerful to allow your inner standard to be held by someone external. Some of the most significant good change in my life has been possible because of the nudges of a good friend, holding me accountable. You might be finding yourself in a place where though you set goals, your history of quitting has you not taking yourself very seriously. If that is the case, bring your SMART goals to a trusted friend and give them permission to check in and even be assertive with you about finishing what you start. Let's make 2019 a year of big change, a year of follow through, and year of deep enrichment. A good life is made with a collection of year like this one. 

Enjoy your fresh starts and let's stay strong.  Take yourself seriously. 
​