Due to the miracle that is the internet I am writing and scheduling this email to you from Kuala Lumpar airport as I make a veeery flying visit home to see my Mum and Dad. I know many people would think it was madness to go 12,000 for such a short time (7 days on the ground) but I had been feeling a little homesick, there were a few health issues with my Dad (all now thankfully resolved) and a cheap flight came up so I thought it was an opportunity to seize the day. So, here I am!
I always have these resolutions each New Year to ‘ keep in touch with family more’. I think I have had that resolution every year since I left home at 18 to go to uni! It’s occured to me that New Years resolutions pretty much suck. That I defer things that I want or ought to do until January when I will make a nice new fresh clean shiny resolution…which will have inevitably fallen by the wayside come February.
What is much better is when I realise there is something I truly want in my life, to be closer to my family, to improve my health, my business, whatever, that if it’s something I truly want then don’t defer. If I want something in October, really want it, why wait til January to make a resolution about it, just to get that kick of shiny newness? Why not just DO IT, and be three months further ahead by January.
There is a wonderful quote by JFK on this that I adore…it’s stuck right infront of my desk in fact:
“The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, ‘In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this very afternoon!’“
John F. Kennedy.
Good point, well made JFK: if something is worth doing, getting fit, getting flexible, learning japanese, whatever it is that will enhance life it will enhance it far more NOW than it will if I wait until January to promise it to myself. It will also be so much further established as a habit and I will be already reaping the benefits by January.
Have a really honest talk to yourself. What is that thing you are going to resolve to do in January as you start the clean crisp New Year? Right, well soldier, no time like the present. Do it, commit to making it happen for yourself TODAY.
Want to be fit and flexible: book your yoga course for October, don’t wait for January. In January feel fit and flexible from your already established 3 months of practice.
Want to have more energy: commit to going to bed an hour earlier for the next 3 months and in January wake up feeling AMAZING.
Want to spend more time with the family: change up the family routine today, this week, and in January feel that much more connected as you celebrate New Year together.
If it’s something you want, don’t wait. There is no time to lose. Do it this very afternoon.
