Resolutions and Goals

This year already seems like it is flying by. Feels like just yesterday it was January and before I knew it the first world cup of our season was right around the corner! I know I usually just write about my competitions, but I wanted to do a little something more and get everyone thinking about their year so far.
It seems that many of us make a new year’s resolutions or goals on what we want to accomplish or try to do better for the year to come. How many of you have stuck to those resolutions? Do you even remember what your new year’s resolution was? I don’t even think I made one this year although I feel that I took a look at past years and asked myself what can I do to improve things and make myself better? Isn’t that what we all strive to do in a sense? Become better or succeed in something more every year? We can gain a sense of gratification when we hit that goal time in the local 5k race, get the promotion at work, or even just to see a family member or friend achieve something they have been working hard on. I also think that by putting out those goals to others it can help to hold you accountable for the things you want to achieve.

This year I found myself trying to make little changes to be better with my time management and become smarter about my training especially with balancing school, training, and part time work. These are things I feel I am always working on and I stick with them for a little while then they start slipping away and I go back to my old ways. I hope I am not the only one who has had this happen not only with New Year’s resolutions but with new goals in life or with sports. I have started to find small ways to improve every day and every week. Small steps towards a larger goal have seemed more attainable and easier for me to achieve. By establishing such a large change it can be overwhelming and hard to maintain. I believe that every day we need to find something that was an accomplishment. Whether that be getting out for a walk, finishing a paper, getting in touch with an old friend, telling your family that you love them that day. Anything! It can be difficult some days to find something to be positive about or think that I didn’t achieve anything, practices didn't go well, or the day just wasn't very good. There is something every day  though that has something positive to gain and benefit from. Lessons can be learned from the failures, successes, and even just a typical day at work or from a coworker.

I challenge everyone to rethink about that New Year’s resolution or goal that you had and try to get back on track! If you are on track then great keep it up and stay positive even with the setbacks. A favorite quote of mine is, “Determination is the strength you achieve after failure”. Failure is important and we learn from them, never be afraid to loose in life. When we become afraid is when we forget how to live and the beauty of life is to experience it yourself.

“Your good habits must become so strong that they dissolve those which aren’t useful”