It is almost the end of another year and we are all scrambling to be ready for the Festive Season.
I love this time of year! I enjoy everything about the preparations, putting up the tree, decorating, baking, having family and friends together.
It is also the time of year that we reflect on the year that is ending and look to the New Year.
We are bombarded with articles on what New Year Resolutions we should make, how to make them and why we need to make them – only to find that by the end of January, resolutions we made at New Year have fallen by the wayside.
I have always used New Year’s Eve to write my goals and dreams for the next year. I’m a firm believer in setting goals but since starting this blog I’ve had a slight shift in my mindset. I am built to be a goal setter and to achieve, probably because of my over-riding desire to please and feel worthwhile. However, I think that most of us may not be configured that way.
What happens when we set our resolutions and then we don’t achieve them? We feel as if we have failed or maybe we don’t really care – either way the feeling is not great and we don’t move forward.
This year, I’m changing my mindset to making changes to my life. I’m not resolving to set the usual suspects of resolutions such as losing weight, quitting smoking (although I don’t smoke), saving money, running a marathon or the myriad of other resolutions that we set.
I’m all for goal setting however, this coming year, I’m not setting any specific goals per se. I’m just aiming for one thing and that is to live a HAPPY and CONTENTED life. Now that is not as easy as it sounds! I want to make changes in my life that are permanent and long term which will make this goal a reality.
We live in a fast paced world where we are judged by how much we have in a material sense. The large house, the fast car, the holiday etc.
I want to be judged by the qualities I have as a person, not how much money is in my bank accountClick To TweetI’m going to focus on:
- growing as a person,
- living & appreciating each day,
- treating others with love and respect and
- being the best person I can be.
I want to set an example to my grandchildren that these simple traits are the most important ‘goals’ we can achieve.
I want to live each day and have no regrets. As I have often written life is short and can end at anytime. We have no control of this however we have control of how we live and appreciate what we have.
I will probably still write my list of goals but I realise if I keep my focus I will probably achieve my goals anyway because of my newly found mindset.
Take control of your life and how you liveClick To TweetI wish you all a wonderful 2016 but most of all I wish you peace and happiness in your life.
Let’s Keep Sizzling!
See where I link up to each week…..
37 Comments
I too like setting goals but dislike when I feel like I haven’t achieved what I set out to do. Thank you for this post.
Hello Clarissa! I supposed I have mixed feelings – I do like to set goals but it does add to the pressure of how I handle it when I don’t actually achieve them. Thank you for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.
Hi Sue, you make great points! It’s always much better to focus on being a better and happier person rather than attaining material things. By using a bugua vision board, I have goals for every aspect of my life … although I prefer to refer to them as intentions rather than “goals.” My intentions are not based on material things, but on how I want to be fulfilled in each area. For example, I set intentions to have meaningful relationships with the people I love, I have intentions of being generous, of being present in every moment. The two areas that might be considered materialist are the “prosperity” and “travel” areas. But my idea of being prosperous is not about attaining material things, it’s more about having financial freedom. And travel … well, yes, you do need money to travel, but there many places to go that are worth it! 😉
Hi Monica I love your idea of the vision board with goals for all aspects of your life. I agree being prosperous doesn’t mean you are rich in material things but in the important things of life like being happy and contented. Thank you for your continuing support and have a lovely day!
We’ve probably all disappointed ourselves by not sticking to our new year decisions. As you pointed out, focusing instead on growing as a person is a much better alternative. Thank you for the inspiring post! 🙂
Oh I’m so glad you stopped by to comment Petra and that you felt inspired by my post. We are so hard on ourselves sometimes that I thought for 2016 I would try something different. I’m sure I will still grow and succeed but with less pressure. Have a lovely day.
This is fabulous! I too am a goal-minded person. I just love to have my lists. But, it does feel crappy when you don’t get to check everything off. I like your mindset for this coming year and think that it’s a noble goal to be happy and contented. I’ve only recently realized how rare and amazing it is for me to feel content. Good luck this year!
We are like minded Gina – both list girls! Even though it sounds simple enough being happy and contented is not that easy so if I can achieve that I’m well on my way to a successful 2016. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you visit again. See you in the WayWow FB community. 🙂
I’ve never been much of one for new year resolutions. I like the sound of goals though. I’m not very good at setting those these days and I’m not really sure why. I had a few big ones when I was younger. I need to do that again. You make some great points here and I’m sure your grandchildren will learn from your example.
Thanks Sam for stopping by to comment. I have always been so driven to achieve my goals but now that I am a little older, I still like to succeed but don’t beat myself up as much if I don’t – sometimes life gets in the way. Have a lovely day and hope you visit again.
I gave up on making lists of resolutions. I’ve actually shifted to deciding which things I should continue doing from the previous year such as finding time for myself, work on my blog, etc. I might set a goal like visit a new place just because. Too often I’ve seen people who decide to loose 20 lbs as their resolution start with going to the gym 5 times a week and by the end of January or mid February they gave up rather than starting with once a week and increasing it as they adjust to it.
Your way of looking at things seems great to me. Yes I’ve seen people start very positively and then fizzle out within a few weeks because they tried to change too much too soon. Thank you for stopping by to comment and I love your blog name. Have a lovely day!
I don’t make resolutions, but do create goals for the year, that I then work on breaking down into bite size bits. I also make a “vision board’ in the form of a photo insert coffee cup, which makes me see my goals everyday when I drink my water! I have things I want to do in my life, and setting goals does help. I am very clear about what I want versus what society might be telling me I should have (skinny jeans!), and don’t fall for the hype too much.
Yes I’m with you Michele. Goals are different to resolutions. I do like the idea of the vision board especially your photo that you use – great idea! Good for you to know where you are going and not following the crowd. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Hi Sue! I do set achievement goals on what I want to be learning but I also set relationship goals. I can’t think of anything better than focusing on those 4 areas you mentioned. Its going to be a great 2016!
I need to sit down and really start nurturing our relationship. The blog has started to eat into our quality time and that isn’t good. I’m looking forward to the holiday break. Lovely to hear from youxxx
I am a huge fan of having lists and goals, it helps me map things out in my head. But I also know that I try to shove too much into one day, so I show myself a bit of grace and put it off till the next day. I know that habits help me to change, and that it will take time. I’m harder on myself than anyone else, but I do cut myself slack, honest!
Hi Nikki we are so alike! I am a lists and goals person but I just feel after such a big year I need to get back to basics and find a happy balance. We are always harder on ourselves so take some ‘Me’ time and enjoy xx
I think aiming to be a better, lovelier person is something we should all resolve to do. The world would be a better place and the next generation would have something to aspire to. I might share some of your resolutions Sue x
PS: your new banner is gorgeous – and looks great on your fb page too!
Oh that is the boost of confidence I needed Leanne. I was so tired of trying to find images that I thought ‘hang it’ I will go abstract and with something colourful. I’m not changing it now – I’ve spent too much time fiddling on this so I need to get cracking on my plan for 2016!
Hi Leanne, as you know I’m a pretty driven person but I want to slow down things and enjoy life. This year has brought the stark reality that life is finite and you don’t know when your last day will be. I’m wanting to take a more holistic approach this coming year. Share away Leanne. xx
Agree 100% that setting New Year’s resolutions can often be a big waste of time and a set-up for disappointment. I am much more comfortable setting intentions for how I want to BE, not what I want to DO. It often feels like I am swimming upstream against the culture, so I really appreciate you giving us a different perspective.
Hi Tina! Thank you stopping by to comment. I think setting intentions is more achievable than putting pressure on with a list of Resolutions that perhaps are not S.M.A.R.T. goals. Have a wonderful Festive Season and I hope 2016 is full of laughter, peace and happiness for you and your family.
Living and appreciating everyday is a wonderful goal! There are always so many things to be grateful for and sometimes we forget this as we get caught up with our busy lives. Appreciate the small things.
I know Anne life can get in the way. I’ve been doing a #100happyday challenge trying to find something each day that I’m happy and grateful for. It is amazing what we do have when we think about it. Thank you for stopping by to comment and hope you visit again.
Yep I totally agree and I love your goals for the coming year and beyond. xx
Oh thanks Janine. You must be getting so excited about the wedding – what a wonderful way to start a New Year!
Well said! I couldn’t agree more and I think not only will you inspire you Grandchildren but also women everywhere who read your words! I also want to focus on just being the best version of myself and hope along the way to inspire some people too, much love and thank you this year for making #Fridayreflections are more enjoyable and beautiful place to be with your words xx
I absolutely agree with your mindset. And I too want to be judged for my qualities rather than how much money is in my bank account.
What a refreshing post. Thanks so much for sharing! -Krista
Thank you Krista for your kind words and it is lovely to have you stop by. Sometimes we just have to take a step back and reflect what we really want in life and how we want to be rather than what others expect us to be. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post and hope you stop by again.
I saw a quote the other day about how there would be far less problems in the world if people focused less on everyone else and focused on changing themselves. I completely agree and I think you are totally right – yes we need to goal set and know where we are going but you also have to actually make changes and they are more long term and meaningful than just New Years resolutions. I hope you have a happy and healthy year Sue 🙂
Thank you Charlotte and I agree we need to start looking at long term changes rather than quick fixes. Happy New Year to you and your family and I wish you every success in your blogging in 2016!
I agree with you, when we don’t achieve the goals, we feel bad so why to set those goals.
I like your goal of feeling happy and contented life and to achieve this, will have to remind ourselves everyday to be happy with whatever we have.
Thanks for such an encouraging post.
Hi Sadhna, thank you for stopping by to comment and I’m working towards feeling happy and contented because if we feel this way we have everything else. Happy New Year and I wish you and your family a wonderful 2016
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