It’s hard to believe, but the year is almost over. There were so many things you promised yourself you would do this year, but you just never found the time. Now with the holidays looming, family coming, a house that needs cleaning and kids who will soon be out of school for the holidays, finishing any of those projects seems hopeless.
Why don’t you take a minute to revisit what you did accomplish before you revisit what you didn’t? Did you play with your kids and help them with homework? Did you have a kind word or smile for people you met as you ran errands? Did you call or visit friends? Did you find time to enjoy your family? Did you show kindness and gratitude? Chances are, you accomplished many different and important things, even if they weren’t the epic or massive goals that you want to share far and wide on Facebook and beyond.
Too often we focus on the negative rather than the positive: I didn’t volunteer at the local shelter or I didn’t start that exercise program. While it is important to have goals, it is also important to think about why you have those goals. The goals you set should be realistic and matter to you. Don’t set your goals based on what someone else does. You don’t have to volunteer at a homeless shelter to make a difference, but if you want to do so in the New Year, go for it! Plus, there are lots of other things you can do to help those in need. For example, once a week you could send a card to someone in a nursing home or someone who is home bound. You will be amazed at the joy you can give with a simple act of kindness.
At the end of the year, some people start to look back and reflect on what they didn’t do throughout the year. Instead, try appreciating what you did do. And if you want to do more next year, then set goals that are unique to you and that matter to you. Don’t always go for the huge — and often unattainable — goals. They just set you up for disappointment. Make attainable goals that add to your life and the lives of your loved ones.
And so what if you didn’t check off every item on your list for the year? New years are about new starts. Let’s focus on what you did get done — and what you can get done now and in the year to come.