Slow Down, Dig Deep, Set Goals, and Be Good to Yourself!

By Christy Romero on January 15th, 2020

By Dr. Jamie Huysman, LCSW, CFT

Usually, only hindsight is 20/20, but here we are beginning a new decade that asks us to consider where we are now in our lives and where we’d like to go. I don’t think this is best accomplished by making resolutions, but by setting goals and creating a simple action plan to assist in achieving them.

Resolutions are confining by nature; they’re an all or nothing proposition, which is why they might be so hard to keep for the free-spirited among us. Whereas goals allow for the flexibility needed to create balance in our lives.

The 21st century has great potential however, we do not yet live in a kinder, gentler world. Many of us are already overwhelmed by the chaos of current events and ever-mounting pressure to do more, be more, and have more – with less.

Don’t give up or surrender to that which you can’t control. It is between the rock and the hard place that human resilience abides! Personal evolution is revolutionary in that it calls upon us to discover untapped resources within us.

The first step is to gain perspective by pausing, stepping back, and taking (No, MAKING) the time to consult your authentic self. The new year is a perfect time to get reacquainted with who you really are.

At some point, we either create the quality of the life we want or become the victims of circumstance.

Learn to thrive within yourself. Do something that makes you happy. One thing, every day, deliberately in service to your health and welfare. As they say, “Time waits for no one.”

Believe it or not, there is time to do everything that needs to be done. And yes, some things can wait.

The key is to slow down. Constant thinking about what we have to do is crazy-making and time-wasting.

So seize each day, embrace your humanity, and make the changes your best self aspires to. Happy New Year!

Dr. Jamie is a popular keynote speaker, media expert, and author. He co-authored the acclaimed “Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health & Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss.” Dr. Huysman writes for Caregiver SOS, Connections, JoanLunden.com, Huddol.com, and blogs on PsychologyToday.com.