Become the Architect of Your Life
Insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein
For many, the thought of a new year can conjure up a host of feelings and emotions. It’s usually a time to reflect on the past year and take tally of what’s working and what isn’t.
On one hand this can be very exciting. New beginnings bring forth a sense of renewal and the hope of a second chance, an opportunity for one to resolve all that was left unresolved and to perhaps pursue new promising goals to better one’s self and life. This sounds really exciting but it can also be very stressful because in the midst of this reflective state we are also reminded of all the broken promises and self-made agreements that never got fulfilled.
Reflection may be an important part of development but beating yourself up about things you didn’t do will never get you where you want to be. A negative state of mind is no way to bring in a new year. After all, negative thinking only perpetuates more negative thoughts and corresponding events. Instead of lamenting over failed resolutions from the past, resolve to become the architect of your new life, take action and make changes. All growth requires change, even in nature. For without change there would be no butterflies.
Tips to help you become the best you in 2015
Make a list
I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but it’s an effective tool. When you write down your thoughts you are more likely to achieve your goals. Create a list that contains three parts: daily, short-term and long-term goals. By breaking down your goals they become more manageable and achievable.
Aim at creating resolutions from a positive place
Aim at creating resolutions from a positive, non-attached, and loving place. Bring forth your intentions from your heart, rather than your mind. Creating intentions from the heart helps to connect with what we really want and foster self-compassion and love.
Create a vision board
Place it in a space where you can see it often, you’ll end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day. What we focus on expands.
Take action
This is the hardest part of making changes. Start off slowly. Be consistent and patient with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Rethink failure
It takes courage to challenge yourself and start something new. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Be the little engine that could – “think you can” and you will.
Become unattached to how things unfold
This doesn’t mean to rest on your laurels and do nothing. Positive change requires hard work and dedication. What it does mean is to surrender, accept and release. We can’t control everything that happens in life. We can only do our best.
Change the way you think and act
“Be the change you want to see in the world”, Mahatma Ghandi. We can’t expect our lives to be full of qualities that we don’t exude. Our lives mirror our thoughts and actions. If you want to change your life, change the way you think and act.
Use your energy wisely
Concern yourself with your own affairs. Most of us spend way too much time and energy worrying about what’s going on in someone else’s life that we forget to live our own.
Love yourself
Don’t worry about what others think or say. You are precious and unique. There is only one you in this entire galaxy.
Get to know yourself by being yourself
Don’t try to be something or someone you’re not. Some people spend their entire lives living in someone else’s shadow or expectation that they forget who they really are or what they want out of life.
Listen to your heart
It is your internal guidance system and holds the key to all your answers.
Get out of your own way
Most importantly, get out of your way. Sometimes the only thing between you and greatness is yourself.
Believe. Conceive. Achieve.
Each year presents new opportunities for growth. I challenge you this year to step outside of your comfort zone and to do something different.
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year,
Laura Iamundo, Certified Holistic Nutritionist
