Lessons for a successful 2024, Habits, Goals and whatnot?
Welcome to Whatever Matters, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing life and career.
Today’s overview:
Have you made your resolutions for 2024?
Lessons to get started on a fresh note every day.
Building habits isn’t easy, but the results are.
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I don’t have New Year resolutions, here’s why
New Year's resolutions are a common tradition in which individuals set goals or intentions for themselves at the beginning of a new year. However, it is perfectly okay if you don’t have any New Year resolutions. I don’t have resolutions, it restricts me.
Here are a few reasons why:
Personal Preference: Setting New Year resolutions is a personal choice, and not everyone may feel compelled to do so. Some people may prefer to set goals and intentions at other times of the year or may not feel the need to set specific resolutions at all.
Previous Experiences: Previous experiences with setting New Year resolutions may have been negative or unsuccessful, leading some people to feel discouraged or unmotivated to set new resolutions.
Focus on Other Things: Some individuals may prefer to focus their energy and attention on other areas of their life, such as personal growth or maintaining healthy habits, rather than setting specific New Year resolutions.
Pressure and Expectations: Setting New Year resolutions can sometimes create pressure and expectations that can be difficult to meet, leading to feelings of failure or disappointment. Not setting specific resolutions can alleviate this pressure and allow for a more relaxed and positive approach to personal growth.
Not having New Year's resolutions is perfectly okay. Everyone has their personal preferences, and setting resolutions is not a requirement for personal growth or self-improvement. It is important to focus on what works best for you and to take small steps towards positive change, whether or not you choose to set specific resolutions.
Loved what you read? Listen to this episode on Spotify for more insights.
There's no better way to start changing yourself and the world around you,
It's today.
Keep aside all your plans, it's 12 days into 2024.
You must start DOING what you set out for.
→ Afraid of speaking in front of a crowd?
START A PODCAST. Don't worry, no one will listen.
→ Want to improve your writing skills?
START A BLOG. Don't worry no one will read.
→ Planned to master a skill for your career?
START TEACHING ON YOUTUBE. Don't worry, no one will watch you.
Your energy is contagious and you don't know that yet.
"Stop" stopping yourself from doing something just because others are doing it.
There are close to 2 Billion young people in the world, if you start wondering what each one of them will think about you - you'll never be able to live your life.
Make 2024 the year of DOING.
I finished reading Atomic Habits last week.
Here’s a quick summary of this lovely book written by James Clear. This could transform the way you look at habits altogether.
Lesson 1: Small habits make a big difference
It is so easy to overestimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making small improvements on a daily basis.
It doesn’t matter how successful or unsuccessful you are right now. What matters is whether your habits are putting you on the path toward success.
Focus on getting 1 % better every day.
Lesson 2: Forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.
Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.
You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.
Atomic Habits presents a proven system for building good habits and breaking bad ones.
Lesson 3: Build identity-based habits
To change your behaviour for good, you need to start believing new things about yourself. You need to build identity-based habits.
Changing your beliefs isn’t nearly as hard as you might think. There are two steps.
Decide the type of person you want to be.
Prove it to yourself with small wins.
Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.
This week’s question to you
“Reality leaves a lot to the imagination. - John Lennon
Have you planned for a healthy lifestyle this year?Reflect on your journey with the week's question and share your insights.
Join the conversation using #OwnYourLife on social media and i’ll see you next week.
Narayanan’s Recommendation Corner
Quote of the week,
“A bold move isn’t justified by whether you win or lose. It’s justified because you made that move in the first place.
Good one Narayanan!