Toss the List of 2014 Resolutions. Instead Resolve to Create Joy in Daily Living.

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.
Henry David Thoreau

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m already suffering a bit from resolutions fatigue.  Every time I log onto Facebook, my newsfeed shows me article after article on how to detox, exercise better, meditate more, eat clean, learning from top performers on how to become successful and becoming a better person as part of 2014 resolutions.  Yet…  We also see statistics that 80% of all New Year’s resolutions fail.  I don’t believe that we need any more reasons as humans to beat ourselves up and pick away at our flaws.  We’re actually pretty good at that already.  I see setting up resolutions only as a means to dive further into our tendency to self-criticize, self-judge and self-sabotage.

I stayed far away from making resolutions for 2014.  I worked on a few business goals to help me with focus, but personally – I decided instead that my focus on a daily basis is “how can I create more joy in my life today?” and “what can I do today to make my heart sing?” This focus really came about after losing two loved ones in 2012 and having my 56-year old aunt fight colon cancer this past year, which has been determined inoperable.  2013 was a very emotional year for me.  I questioned both my career and life goals.  I learnt to understand what periods of darkness felt like.  I come from a lineage of martyrs on both sides.  So, just learning to deal with it and stuff emotions is normal.  However, when I gave myself the opportunity to actually feel the pain and realize that suffering is truly optional, I saw that both my business and life can become what I want without having to create a hefty list of resolutions and improvement measures.

Here’s the key though.  Most of us have lost touch with what brings us joy.  Our lives are so filled with obligations and to do lists.  I can relate.  As part of my own process, I’m trying new things to see what I want to integrate into my life to foster joyful living and bring out more of my creative side.  I’ve become such a left-brainer over the years that besides reading and cooking, I haven’t committed much time to my artistic spirit.  As a result, I’m right now obsessing (yes, obsessing) about owning a farm house on a good size lot.  This means that I’m taking time out daily to spend time on Pinterest to look at pictures for house designs and interior decorations and save it to my secret board.  I also decided to look at ways to start bringing in that country living into my current home.  I’m gathering ideas for redecorating.

How about you?  Is there something that you loved to do growing up, but have lost touch with?  Or is it maybe just being able to eat one chocolate cookie (Yes, I said one.  It’s about feeling good and not having a belly ache.) a day that would make your heart sing?  Challenge yourself to find out what will make you feel good on a daily basis and commit to this instead of setting yourself up for failure with New Year’s resolutions.  As Henry David Thoreau said, heaven is also just under our feet.

Also, I’m right now running a promotion on both my business and career strategy consultation services.  You can easily find out more:

1. Business strategy consultation
2. Career strategy consultation

I truly believe that our careers become meaningful when we embrace joy and look for ways to make our hearts sing on a daily basis.  I’d love to work with you if that’s what you’re seeking as well.

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