Hello Superstars
Today I wanted to share my thoughts on New Years Resolutions. A quote that I think about all the time is:
How many times do we complain that we are not getting results, yet we make no effort to change the way we do or see things. If we always do what we have always done, we will always have what we have always received. It is as simple as that. Sometimes we need to change our perspective or do things in reverse. My manager challenged me last year and said, how about when you walk into a lesson, do things in reverse. Instead of ending the lesson with a game, start it with a game, as an example.
I remember reading somewhere that all it takes is a 1% change in your routine to make a difference to your life.
1%... how small does that sound? Is that even worth it? What is that... like 1 action?
And the answer is yes. 1 action. 1 change in your routine can make all the difference in the world.
Take one of your dreams and decide how you are going to make it a reality. My biggest dream is to be a successfully published author. I know the type of writer I want to be. It is weird because my dream really falls into 2 difference genres.
Writer number 1
I want to be a motivational writer. I love to inspire people, to help them see their own light and capability. So, I want to write about life stuff... Like I am doing right now. There is honestly no better compliment for me than when someone reads a piece of my work and it resonates with them deeply, almost as if they could have written it themselves. It is that connection in the writing that someone somewhere else in the world understands exactly what you are going through or what you feel. That little moment and connection is the biggest reward in my opinion. I know what it is like to read a piece of writing and have it bring me to tears, when I was in a really low place, at those times I didn't feel so alone.
This has happened to me a few times, but there are two times that really stand out for me. Firstly, when I read a book called "The Fairy Godmothers guide to getting what you want" by Donna McCallum (South Africa's very own fairgodmother). I was in bed reading on a Sunday night. My relationship was a mess, my job was boring, and my daily routine was mind numbingly boring. As I read Donna's words, I just started crying as I realised that things didn't have to be that way and I could change my life. As scary and overwhelming as that felt. The second time, was this year when I saw Instagram snippets from Daniel Chidiac's book "Who says you can't? You do." It hit home in so many ways.
If I could be even half as good as them, I would feel like a success. Yet, I know it is the fear of failure that slows my progress.
Writer number 2
I want to publish a paranormal romance novel. Sure, my dreams of being as great as Cassandra Clare, Lauren Kate and JK Rowling seem a bit 'out there', but it is what inspires me. If they can try and succeed, then why can't I? I know there are millions of novels in the world, and that there are millions of wonderful stories out there that don't even get half the credit they deserve, but I at least have to try. It would an injustice to myself if I didn't.
A true story that inspires me is the one about JK Rowling. She was 31, a single mother, was unemployed and sitting on a train when she first started writing Harry Potter. She was rejected by 12 different publishers before someone gave her a chance.
At the beginning of 2018 I decided to do a New Years Resolution with my students in class. Even though I have brushed off this trend for years and not bothered to even try set them, I gave it one more shot. While I was preparing for class I jotted down 10 habits I would like to implement in my life more frequently. They started out as just an example but the the more I did the class with each level, the more I realised that these were really things I wanted to change in my life.
Chanzie's New Years Resolutions
1. Work out more
To be healthy and fit, as well as feel my more confident in my own skin. I am so over trying to lose weight. I always look back and think... gosh I wasn't as fat as I thought I was. I actually looked good. You always want the things you had, and never what you have. So my first mindset was to love the skin I am in, and appreciate my healthy, fully functional body.
2. Watch Motivational Videos
What you listen to and put in your mind plays a huge role in how you think. We are but the company we keep. So, I decided that instead of only listening to my music every morning I would search on Youtube for any motivational videos to listen to while I got ready for work. This has been my best and biggest change so far. It is my best 1% to date.
3. Write more
Write write write.. even if it's badly. Even if it's boring. Even if it's a little bit.. 100 words is better than nothing... This has been my motto lately.. I have been procrastinating I know... but... everyday is a new day, new week and new chance to start again. The book isn't going to write itself...
4. Read something
Read a page of a book a day. That is how you increase your knowledge. That is how you grow and learn new things. I made a new rule.. in the effort to spend less time on social media, that every time I open Facebook, I need to go and read a page or a paragraph of a book.
5. De-clutter
Clear out the old stuff on a regular basis. Whether it be papers or random rubbish I collect around my apartment. Clear my space physically, it helps clear my mind as well. I went on all my messenger applications and cleared most of my messages. Such a simple step yet so releasing at the same time, just letting go of all those emotional chords.
6. Eat Well
What you eat, affects your moods. Eating better leads to me feeling better. It's as simple as that. Yes, sometimes eating healthy can get a bit pricey, but it is always worth it in the end. I don't deny myself the good things in life, like dairy queen, but there is a time and place for everything. Look after your health now, so that it doesn't fail you when you need it later on.
7. Affirmations
OK, so I haven't been that great with this one just yet, but with all the motivational videos I have been watching, the repeated thoughts I think and tell myself have become not so judgmental and definitely more encouraging.
8. Save
Don't squander your money but don't be a miser either. Where I can, I choose to maybe not get things that I just want. I want to save more, so that I can travel more. Travelling lights up my soul and frees my spirit. I have a monthly savings budget, a weekly challenge and then just a general mindfulness of where I invest my hard earned salary.
9. Study
Practise a skill. The only way to master it is the put in the time and the effort. Right now I am between learning Spanish and doing a free online Social Media Marketing Course through Shaw academy.
10. Meditate
Taking 10 minutes out of my day to just calm my mind and focus on the present does wonders. As a teacher my mind always runs a mile a minute and has about 100 tabs open like Google Chrome.
***
I have a checklist stuck on my cupboard and as long as I do at least 3 of these 10 a day, I am happy. The most I have achieved in 1 day so far is 6 which is like a home run!
Many times I think, maybe I shouldn't share that and maybe I shouldn't post that. Who cares about it anyway, but what keeps me sharing is that from time to time, people reach out and say "Thank you, I live through your eyes and after a bad day sometimes I get home and your post makes me feel OK or like I am not so alone." I try my best to be a good teacher. Sometimes I have bad lessons or a bad day, but that doesn't make me a failure at all.
I would love to hear some of your 1% changes you have implemented and how they have helped you. Sharing is inspirational, we learn by others as much as we learn by ourselves.
Peace and love
Chanzie
xxx
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