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Roots and Wings
For Mums . . . wherever you are! |
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Happy New Year!
I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday and are feeling good about the year ahead. New Years always feel exciting to me, full of the prospect of being able to start afresh, full of resolve and good intentions!
As you read this, if all goes according to plan, I will be spending the first few days of the New Year with my Mum, at her home in the far North of Scotland, surrounded by woods and the sea. This is a rare treat for us both.
I'll need this quiet time at the beginning of the year, because the rest of the year doesn't look like it will be too quiet! I already have several workshops planned, new clients coming on board to kickstart their 2011, and a lot of work to do on my new membership website for Mums Abroad. I've got a few writing projects that I really want to move forward too. But my aim is that I do these things at a pace that is comfortable and doesn't knock me (and everyone else) out!
I wish you all the best as you embark upon this new year, may you experience good health and much happiness throughout 2011 and beyond.
Kirstin Barton |
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| Random New Year Resolutions for Busy Mums |
For the busy mum, there is not much time to commit to making a new year's resolution, so I have developed a rapid way of coming up with one for 2011.
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I will
I resolve to
I commit to
I must
I should
I will try to
I might
I want to
I would like to
I will certainly not |
Talk calmly to my children
Prepare wholesome food
Take more "me time"
Keep my sink clean
Facebook/Twitter
Breathe
Exercise
Change my look
Go out and party
Fit into my little black party dress |
Twice a day
As much as possible
More
Regularly
Again
From time to time
Sometimes
When I feel like it
Alternate Mondays
Only in emergencies |
Just pick one item from the first column, one from the second and one from the third and Hey Presto - there's your resolution, ready to go !
Many of us might as well pick our resolutions at random, the amount of success we have achieving them!
So how can we maximize our success? Here's five ways.
- Pick something you really want to change. Not something you feel you should, something everyone else is doing, or something that someone else tells you to change. Self-motivation and feeling excited by it are both key. Remind yourself of why you want to make this resolution - what will achieving it give you? What is important to you about it?
- Be specific. Beware of being too vague. "I want to exercise sometimes" is too vague to generate any real commitment. I will do 30 minutes exercise twice a week is a more specific resolution - and you can actually properly measure your success. Going further, and you could add what kind of exercise too and which days. Then you've got more commitment to your action.
- Be realistic about what you are ready to take on "I want to exercise twice a day". If you want to make a big change, make sure you are ready for the extra energy, time and support this could take. Otherwise, take small steps forward - change one habit at a time, for example.
- Be patient with yourself. A new habit needs to be repeated many times (research suggests at least 21 days for a daily habit) before it becomes routine. In the meantime, you might need to focus a bit more, to remind yourself of your new routine. And if you forget - don't beat yourself up and stop trying - just keep going and celebrate when you get it the way you want it. Practicing changing little habits can be a great way of preparing yourself to make a bigger change - you can work up to the "big one" and it doesn't even have to be in the New Year !
- Get support, especially from those close to you, who can often unintentionally undermine your efforts to change. Let them know what you are changing - let them help you! And support yourself - find ways of making it easier to change - a system of reminders, a support group, sources of inspiration - whatever works for you when bringing changes into your life.
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And speaking of support, I invite anyone who is making a New Years Resolution to join me for a resolute and supportive New Years Coffee (unless you're giving that up too) on Monday January 10th, 9-11am. I'll provide the coffee and goodies and you can bring your resolution. We'll support each other as a group - and if you want to make it a regular thing, we can do that too! Just let me know if you can make it.
Happy New Year - May it be everything you want it to be!
Kirstin Barton
www.alivetochange.com If you know of anyone who might be interested in reading this newsletter, please . THANK YOU !
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New for 2011 - More than just Coffee
I am introducing a new "workshop-lite" session next year. This is a themed group session over coffee, following a theme and with the same purpose as a workshop - to find positive ways of moving forward in our lives, and to support each other in doing this. I will facilitate, but there'll be no flip chart, sign up sheets or formal agenda. I'll pick a theme for each time (based on what you're telling me you want) and you can register if you're interested.
It's a coffee with a little bit of purpose - and you'll leave feeling more energized and focused, with some real ideas for taking action. The cost will be just CHF20 per time, pay as you go - no commitment, except to yourself!
Register your interest for the first session, Monday 17th January, 9-11am. The theme will be PRODUCTIVITY - getting stuff done! Email me on kirstin@alivetochange.com for more information and directions.
If there's a topic you're particularly interested in, and would like to explore in a supportive group environment, please just email me. | |
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