Hello first of the month: Whip your life into shape without too much pain

December 1, 2011
by Angela Archer

It’s the first day of the last month of 2011. I don’t know if I’m alone in feeling this, but this year flew by too quickly, and it’s been one of my favorite/best years, so far!

I’ve done a lot this year, especially in the area of personal growth. While I’m satisfied with my progress this year, especially during the month of November, November was just a warmup.

So, it’s not over quite yet. It’s time to finish this year with a big bang! This month, December, I’m taking care of business! I am deeming this December “Live Your Best Life Month.”

You can join the cause too. (The cause being ourselves, and taking our lives to the next level.)

I’m just going to keep it simple. This is how Live Your Best Life Month works:

1. Identify one (or two) goal you want to make in each of the major areas of your life, where you want to make a change. I suggest one or two goals, since I want you to achieve the goal, and not get overwhelmed by all the changes you are making. Other changes can come with time, but identify what’s most important to you right now, at this time in your life.
2. Do it.
3. If you feel like veering off the plan, just force yourself to do it (or schedule time to do it). Don’t think too much about doing it, since the thoughts would interrupt the momentum.

I know that sticking to plans can be a challenge sometimes. Sometimes we don’t feel like doing something, even though we know it’s good for us. Sometimes we might be overwhelmed. But, just find time to do it, if it’s worthwhile.

You’ll feel better because of it. It’s similar to feeling like staying home instead of dragging yourself to the gym to exercise. If you force yourself to do it, you won’t regret it! “I don’t feel like it,” is a crap excuse, if one choice is clearly better and the other is bad/regretful. Live with no regrets! Life’s too short for bullsh*t! Life’s too short for dialing it down.

Here are examples of some major life areas:

-Family
-Love/Romance
-Spiritual
-Friendships
-Work/Career
-Financial
-Health
-Personal Growth

Example of goals in some major life areas:

• Family — Call parents at least once a week, to check-in and connect.
• Love/Romance — Find ways to express appreciation for my significant other.
• Spiritual — Pray daily.
• Friendships — Grow the friendships that nourish me; be around authentic, positive people.
• Work/Career — Redesign business plan for my tech startup.
• Financial — Set a budget for this month, and stick to it.
• Health — Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Eat more vegetables.
• Personal Growth — Read at least one personal growth book every week this month.

The more specific you can make a goal, the better. Since having a vague goal might not result in taking effective action. If you complete a goal, you can create a new one, that way you will be continually moving forward.

Anyway, I’m still tweaking my goals for this month. Hope I’ve been able to provide you with some inspiration.

How are you going to take on December?