Blog with Friends - Resolutions

Welcome to another episode of Blog with Friends. Of course January's theme is "Resolutions", and I got it as my Secret Subject Swap as well, so these are going to go hand in hand.

Here are my thoughts on resolutions, goals, plans, motivation and whatever it takes to make change happen, because that's what it is, and why it's so hard: changing from your usual ways:

1. It's hard - pat yourself on the back for taking the first step, just to reflect on things you want to achieve.
2. You have to really want it, and you have to be ready to pay the price. Unfortunately this is not a case of having your cake and eating it too - quite on the contrary. Probably no cake for a while at all. Sorry.
3. Know, repeat and visualize why you're doing the things you need to do: Google 31 motivational quotes, print them out, put each into an envelope so you get to open one every morning for a daily dose of inspiration! Of course you may take the paperless route and just copy them into your calendar or notes app.
4. Be moderate with your goals. "No chocolate all through January" may just not be feasible. How about "one piece of dark chocolate along with your coffee every (other) day" - nicer wording, too! Instead of "absolutely forbidden" go for what you actually allow yourself.
5. Don't give up, keep going. Small steps and small results will fuel your motivation to take bigger steps and achieve bigger results. Confidence comes from effort and trying. 
6. Part of being moderate about goals is not to set too many. Focus on your top priorities. Make space in your schedule to work on your goals - if it isn't scheduled it won't get done. Set yourself up for success. Prep for your activities, lay out gym clothes, have healthy snacks ready to grab.
7. Get shit done right away, meaning don't get clutter (=anything that holds you back or weighs you down, also mental clutter) accumulate. Get to it and be done! Timing yourself may help to be productive. Give yourself 10 minutes to clean up your desk. If you're into gadgets, set up your camera or phone and make a time-lapse video of yourself speed cleaning!
8. Have a plan B on how do handle derailments and setbacks, research different ways and alternatives on how to reach your goal. Usually many roads lead to Rome. At least that's what they say.
9. Team up with a friend who has similar goals, share ideas, progress - work hard and and if you feel like it, rant about how hard it is
10. Think of ways on how to reward yourself for your great work!

Which one(s) do you think will be easy for you to do? Which one(s) the hardest? Why? Leave me comment, I'd like to hear!

Now let's see what my blogger friends have come up with:

Karen of Baking In A Tornado whipped up some yummy no-bake white chocolate raspberry refrigerator cheesecake

Dawn of Spatulas On Parade managed to come up with a delightful pizza snack that is low carb and sure to please. Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom gives you her top ten tips on how to stick to (new year’s) resolutions Jules of The Bergham Chronicles came up with a list of her personal resolutions, and some info on how she plans to be successful. Melissa Robinson of My Heartfelt Sentiments challenges you to invest in yourself and others in 2018 Lydia from Cluttered Genius will tell you how she's tapping back into her creative genius to do things for her.

Rabia from The Lieber Family doesn't need 10 ways - she achieves her goals observing only 5 steps!