By mid-January, most of us have given up, or have not started our New Year’s resolutions. Is it over? Is it too late to take up a resolution?
Part of me feels a little hopeful – oh, it’s not too late. I can still undertake a big resolution.
Part of me feels resentful – it’s too late! Quit nagging me. Let’s just get back to normal.
Every resolution is voluntary. Indeed, you cannot conscript yourself into service. You can cajole, coax, bribe. Perhaps the very idea of a goal or a resolution shuts you down. (I can relate. My inner toddler is eying the door, calculating the impact of a tantrum every time a goal is mentioned. I don’t want anyone to raise the expectations.)
The New York Times reports a broad trend – people downsizing their resolutions, and aspiring to tiny, achievable goals.
Bravo. Tiny, achievable ways forward.
Following are some of the resolutions reported in the Times.
- Go vegan one day a week. —Liani, 22, London
- My tiny New Year’s resolution is to compost daily. —Phuong, 48, Vienna, Va.
- I will learn how to graft tomato rootstock so I can grow and harvest lots of heirloom tomatoes. —Raphael, 76, Albuquerque
- Eat something green every day! —Kim, 69, Menlo Park, Calif.
- One of my favorite takeout dishes is mapo tofu, and I’ve tried to make it but it always turns out underseasoned. I’m excited to to build out my spice cabinet and learn how to make this properly at home! —Elissa, 34, Minneapolis
- As the primary caregiver for my husband, I don’t get out very much. My resolution is to go outside every day, even if it’s only for 5 minutes. —Terry, 69, Stamford, N.Y.
- My resolution is to be dressed by noon each day. Small and achievable. —Jean, 68, St. Louis
- I resolve to put my phone down when I am with my kids. —Joshua, 39, Kalamazoo, Mich.
- Turn down or return straws and/or plastic utensils for my takeouts to reduce the consumption of one-time-use plastic. —Khoo, 42, Seattle
- My manageable resolution for 2021 is to learn to play the new Billie Eilish James Bond theme song on the piano. —Julia, 50, Indianapolis (No relation. LOL)
- I will only wear comfortable shoes. —Kathy, 52, Cooperstown, N.Y.
- I have really been enjoying dancing as a way to feel invigorated and alive each day. Just one song each day that I dance and move my body to. A reminder that I’m still here and I can still experience joy. —Poonam, 34, Dallas
These are not punitive, impossible, dread-imposing, fear-induing goals, and they are appropriate for 2021. We can plan day-by-day. We can live within low expectations. At least for another week or so. When they world is crazed and uncertain, just choosing a small and easy goal can help you feel less overwhelmed.
And what if your goal, your dream IS huge?
Maybe, like me, you want to finish a novel this year. Maybe you plan to self-publish a book or a series. How can you possibly, in the face of our current environment, after almost a year in lockdown, still gird your loins and get’er done?
It is not too late. It is not too hard. Give yourself some grace. Build in fun, help and small milestones.
Move in tiny, achievable steps forward.
We’ll talk about setting fun, easy and meaningful goals for 2021 in the Write Without the Fight FB Group.
One of my big, and achievable goals for 2021 is to be a guest more frequently – on stages, podcasts, in print interviews, and webinars.
This week, you can see me being interviewed by Traci Skuce in her FREE telesummit: Write Your First or Next Book.
Who here would set the goal of writing their first or next book in 2021? My friend, Traci Skuce, is sharing a free 12-day masterclass series on how to keep your butt in the chair, write and revise your fiction or memoir, and send it off for publication. And you can get access to it all by clicking here: https://www.traciskuce.com/write-your-first-or-next-book-summit/