For An Incredible New Year, Maximize the Last Week of December!
If you want an incredible New Year, then maximize the last week of December. This lull before New Year’s Day is the perfect time to work on goals—books to read, places to go, things to learn to do, people to serve (and what to do for them), etc.
One of the key areas I meticulously plan around is my health—mental as well as physical. In case you like the idea of devoting this week to planning, I’ll share some of the advice I intend to follow:
Be clear about what you want. Get very clear about what you want to accomplish in 2022. Write 20 or more goals, then narrow your list to the three to five most important.
Develop a sense of urgency. Think in terms of NOW, rather than “later on, or when there’s a better time.” (How can we be sure there even is a “later on?”) When something you want to do comes to mind, write it down.
Always think "What's the next action?" Besides writing things down, determine the next action, and act on it NOW. Read Getting Things Done (David Allen) for more inspiration and direction on this.
Or read the book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People (Stephen Covey). If you've already read it, read it again (it’s that good!).
Spend more time in person with people you love. Quality relationships really depends on the amount of in-person time we spend together. Emailing, Facebooking, texting or phoning is not enough. Think "quantity" time.
Create a plan for getting fit in 2022. Be absolutely clear about your fitness routine. Start slowly, but build up. Think about where you want to be in a year. Start now!
Cleanse or detox one full day weekly. Maybe consume only green smoothies that day, or just fruit or vegetables. There are many ways to detoxify, so look for one that appeals to you.
Drink 2 liters of water every single day. Consider keeping a large water pitcher on your desk or near your work-station to remember to drink.
Drink a raw food smoothie every single day. There are many excellent recipe books and Internet recipes available on this subject. (www.dvo.com for example.)
Eat a whole food, plant-based meal at least 3 times a week. More days per week is better, but 3 times is a good start.
Walk 30 minutes every day. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider walking at your local mall. Don’t live near a mall? Bundle up and go anyway.
Don't go anywhere by car if you could walk or ride a bicycle. A RADICAL suggestion, I know—but think of the health benefits this step offers.
Give first, then pay yourself. Research says the happiest and most successful people gift (or tithe) 10% of what they earn to their religious or other charitable organization monthly. Understanding the importance of “giving back,” even major corporations and businesses build “planned giving” into their annual budgets.
Then save at least 10% of what you earn in 2022. Studies show that these two habits are a beeline out of debt and into prosperity. If you’re inclined to say, I don’t earn enough to give 10% away, or even save 10%, all I can say is, try it. It takes faith, but it works.
Track all expenses. Track every single expense religiously. Read Your Money or Your Life (Vicki Robin and Joseph Dominguez).
Work actively to build your circle of influence. Surround yourself with positive and healthy people. Make it a priority. Distance yourself from negative influences, as much as possible.
Do unappealing things first. Every day, ask yourself "What am I avoiding today or fear most?" Do what’s hard first. Read Eat That Frog (Brian Tracy).
Keep a journal. This habit helps you reflect on your life and gain perspective from it. If you're unsure how to do this, simply spend 5 minutes every night to write down 3 challenges for the day, three things you're grateful for, three successes and three things you would do differently.
Make a list of the books you've always wanted to read. Narrow it down to one per quarter. Get them now. Nothing enriches life more than continuing to pursue learning.
Spend less time on email and screening. Remove yourself from mailing lists, check e-mails only once or twice a day, set a specific time to text and adhere to it.
Streamline your stuff and time. Simplify your physical world and life in general by giving away anything that no longer serves you. You’ll have more time, energy, and mental wherewithal for what matters most. (See my book, It’s Here…Somewhere, www.amazon.com.)
Serve more. Consider contributing your resources, time, energy and talents to a noble cause (a local food bank, women’s shelter, Humane Society, etc.) Someone said, “Serving others is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this beautiful earth.”
Be grateful. I keep a gratitude journal and list 5 things I’m thankful for every day. This little habit continues to make a HUGE difference in my daily outlook and ability to deal with disappointments and set-backs.
Be flexible. If things don't turn out the way you wanted, readjust your approach. An effective way to find contentment is to believe that the way things are is just the way they’re supposed to be. Then set about learning from what you’re experiencing.
Watch less TV and videos. Mental health experts even suggest we consider getting rid of it (another RADICAL suggestion, I know.)
List all the things you want to do every year but never do. Narrow these down to one or two items. Take immediate action steps: schedule it, book it, or otherwise make it happen. There’s too much putting things off until it’s too late!
Share your knowledge. Help at least 5 people benefit from the things you’ve learned. There’s joy in growing together.
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One of the key areas I meticulously plan around is my health—mental as well as physical. In case you like the idea of devoting this week to planning, I’ll share some of the advice I intend to follow:
Be clear about what you want. Get very clear about what you want to accomplish in 2022. Write 20 or more goals, then narrow your list to the three to five most important.
Develop a sense of urgency. Think in terms of NOW, rather than “later on, or when there’s a better time.” (How can we be sure there even is a “later on?”) When something you want to do comes to mind, write it down.
Always think "What's the next action?" Besides writing things down, determine the next action, and act on it NOW. Read Getting Things Done (David Allen) for more inspiration and direction on this.
Or read the book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People (Stephen Covey). If you've already read it, read it again (it’s that good!).
Spend more time in person with people you love. Quality relationships really depends on the amount of in-person time we spend together. Emailing, Facebooking, texting or phoning is not enough. Think "quantity" time.
Create a plan for getting fit in 2022. Be absolutely clear about your fitness routine. Start slowly, but build up. Think about where you want to be in a year. Start now!
Cleanse or detox one full day weekly. Maybe consume only green smoothies that day, or just fruit or vegetables. There are many ways to detoxify, so look for one that appeals to you.
Drink 2 liters of water every single day. Consider keeping a large water pitcher on your desk or near your work-station to remember to drink.
Drink a raw food smoothie every single day. There are many excellent recipe books and Internet recipes available on this subject. (www.dvo.com for example.)
Eat a whole food, plant-based meal at least 3 times a week. More days per week is better, but 3 times is a good start.
Walk 30 minutes every day. If you live in an area with cold winters, consider walking at your local mall. Don’t live near a mall? Bundle up and go anyway.
Don't go anywhere by car if you could walk or ride a bicycle. A RADICAL suggestion, I know—but think of the health benefits this step offers.
Give first, then pay yourself. Research says the happiest and most successful people gift (or tithe) 10% of what they earn to their religious or other charitable organization monthly. Understanding the importance of “giving back,” even major corporations and businesses build “planned giving” into their annual budgets.
Then save at least 10% of what you earn in 2022. Studies show that these two habits are a beeline out of debt and into prosperity. If you’re inclined to say, I don’t earn enough to give 10% away, or even save 10%, all I can say is, try it. It takes faith, but it works.
Track all expenses. Track every single expense religiously. Read Your Money or Your Life (Vicki Robin and Joseph Dominguez).
Work actively to build your circle of influence. Surround yourself with positive and healthy people. Make it a priority. Distance yourself from negative influences, as much as possible.
Do unappealing things first. Every day, ask yourself "What am I avoiding today or fear most?" Do what’s hard first. Read Eat That Frog (Brian Tracy).
Keep a journal. This habit helps you reflect on your life and gain perspective from it. If you're unsure how to do this, simply spend 5 minutes every night to write down 3 challenges for the day, three things you're grateful for, three successes and three things you would do differently.
Make a list of the books you've always wanted to read. Narrow it down to one per quarter. Get them now. Nothing enriches life more than continuing to pursue learning.
Spend less time on email and screening. Remove yourself from mailing lists, check e-mails only once or twice a day, set a specific time to text and adhere to it.
Streamline your stuff and time. Simplify your physical world and life in general by giving away anything that no longer serves you. You’ll have more time, energy, and mental wherewithal for what matters most. (See my book, It’s Here…Somewhere, www.amazon.com.)
Serve more. Consider contributing your resources, time, energy and talents to a noble cause (a local food bank, women’s shelter, Humane Society, etc.) Someone said, “Serving others is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this beautiful earth.”
Be grateful. I keep a gratitude journal and list 5 things I’m thankful for every day. This little habit continues to make a HUGE difference in my daily outlook and ability to deal with disappointments and set-backs.
Be flexible. If things don't turn out the way you wanted, readjust your approach. An effective way to find contentment is to believe that the way things are is just the way they’re supposed to be. Then set about learning from what you’re experiencing.
Watch less TV and videos. Mental health experts even suggest we consider getting rid of it (another RADICAL suggestion, I know.)
List all the things you want to do every year but never do. Narrow these down to one or two items. Take immediate action steps: schedule it, book it, or otherwise make it happen. There’s too much putting things off until it’s too late!
Share your knowledge. Help at least 5 people benefit from the things you’ve learned. There’s joy in growing together.
Sources:
- www.vectorstock.com
- www.target.com
- www.kbk.co.uk
- www.dvo.com
- www.bring-joy.com
- www.drmattmorris.com
Alice Osborne
DVO Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
