Hello and welcome to 4-Minute Friday where I share, in four minutes or less, the latest things I’m doing to enhance my health, develop a better mindset, make day-to-day life easier, and other shenanigans.
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Addition/Alternative to NY Resolutions:
I mentioned the last couple of posts the importance of doing a review of the past 52 weeks.
What’s gone well? Where did you notice sticking points? What daily activities brought you the most fulfillment? Where are you wasting time?
After taking inventory, it’s essential to create an action plan to ensure that the review to be completed in 365 days’ time will prove you took your own advice.
Which is what those resolutions are for, of course.
And while some resolutions are super easy to quantify and track progress, others are rather abstract.
For example, it’s much easier to know you were successful in quitting that pack of cigarette habit than it is to say you grew in your ability to be grateful.
One is directly measurable, the other not so much.
That is why I really like the idea of having “overarching principles” — words or phrases to keep top of mind this year to guide your actions.
Instead of having a few resolutions, a set of overarching principles has a limitless number of touchpoints because they can influence each one of your daily decisions, if you let them.
Three that I’ve decided on for 2025 — be intentional, prioritize community, and mindfulness.
Allowing these principles to guide where I put my energy and how I spend my time will greatly determine the success of my year.
Mindset I’m Embracing:
Go deep, not wide.
It’s a phrase that my stepsister expressed over the holidays regarding purchasing gifts for others. Giving them a gift with a personal touch rather than just spending more money, that is.
I’ve given it a lot of thought because it’s a principle that I think can be applied on a much broader scale.
In fact, it’s another worthy option for an overarching principle.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that I’m a fan of “more”. If something is good, then more must be better — a mindset that can become pathological if taken to the extremes.
But rather than focusing on quantity, what if we shifted our mindset to prioritizing quality?
To go deep rather than wide.
Two areas where I think this is especially relevant: relationships and knowledge.
I’d argue that most of us don’t need more relationships — we need to deepen the ones we currently have, to genuinely get to know those around us. This often requires vulnerability and time dedication which is well worth the sacrifice.
And knowledge.
Of course, we’d all love to be proficient in a number of topics, but the human mind is limited. We must narrow our focus to become niche — often finding a career in such an area.
Therefore, rather than spinning our wheels and trying to become competent in several fields, it may be more worth our time to dive deep into whatever it is that truly interests us, makes us a living, and/or gives us joy.
Life is a little simpler this way it seems.
Podcast I’m Enjoying:
Modern Wisdom – Christmas Edition.
Chris Williamson and three of his close pals sat down to discuss the biggest lessons and life hacks they came across in 2024 alongside the best resolutions moving into 2025.
Prepare to discover cheap ways to improve your health, tactics to become less cynical, how to get better at accepting the difficulties of life, be more productive, and much more.
It’s full of gems and is absolutely worth the roundabout 90 minutes.
What else?
We’re full steam ahead in 2025. Understand the early days of making a habit change are the most challenging… by far. Continue to push through discomfort and remember that it gets easier with consistency. Keep on!
Rather than staying on the surface, venture deep.
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DISCLAIMER
This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.
Love this one! Look forward to listening to the pod! Go deep!!