For the past few years, I keep promising myself that next year will be my year. Things will be better next year. Things will go smoother, I will get fit again. Next year is the year of the body. Next year I will make a difference.

I know that I am not alone. So many people that I engage with have the same story. Next year will be THE year. Yet, life doesn’t seem to play like that.

There are only 51 days left this year. That is 7 weeks that we have left to ensure that we complete all our goals of 2018. Is that enough time for you to ensure that 2018 was the best year ever? You have 1224 hours left, how are you going to spend them?

Around 6 years ago I stopped setting goals for my year and started creating themes for the year. A theme, as my coach taught me, was something that infused every area of my life. This has worked rather well for me and it came at a time when it was much needed. However, the time has come for me to step it up a level. I will continue to set a theme for every year as I find immense value from living my themes, but now it is go-time for me to stretch myself.

I have had a few difficult years, or more accurately a few major life experiences in the past few years. My old thinking of next year being a “better year” is gone. I am not wanting next year to be a “better year”. I want a better life. I am not willing to settle for just one good year. I am going to create a better decade for myself. I am not hoping for a better year and I am not hoping for a better decade. I am going to CREATE a better year, I am going to CREATE a better decade for myself.

Sound a little pie in the sky? I am sure it does, especially when things have been tough and next year is faced with a lot of uncertainty. If I cannot get one good year going how do I plan 10 in a row?

Little steps. That is how. I have already started this year by changing habits. I have a solid morning routine. I wake up early and get moving. I eat a good breakfast. I meditate. I am conscious of my thoughts and actions. I am willing to fight for what I believe in. I am willing to fight to protect those I care about. I have worked on creating clear boundaries and I protect these boundaries. I am studying again. I have developed new interests.

This year I have systematically added little layers to my life that have turned into habits and eventually this is now just part of who I am. I am psychologically healthier than I have been for many years. Emotionally I am in a strong headspace and of clear mind. Spiritually I am more connected and in tune with my inner self than I have ever been. Physically I have managed to pick up some much-needed weight and I am now weighing in at my ideal weight for the first time in many years.

2018, has been a great year for me. In fact, 2018 was possibly one of the best years in the past decade or more. I have essentially had a yearlong holiday. I have minimal stress and a lot of time on my hands. I have read books, studied subjects that have always interested me. I have traveled and been on adventures. I have drawn, written, and reconnected with my creativity. I have practiced karate and yoga. As one thing becomes a habit I then manage to add something else. What I have realized is that I do have a lot of time in my day. I have time to read the book, time to exercise, time to just hang out with loved ones. All that it has taken was some commitment and dedication to do the thing I need to do in order to get the life I want. I don’t always feel like waking up early, but I do. I am that committed to making the next decade my best decade ever that I am willing to do the work required to reach the goal.

If I am going to have the best decade of my life then I need to show up every single day and be disciplined to do the things that I enjoy doing. Lying in bed dreaming about a better life will not work, I have to choose and act to create that better life.

What are you doing today that will help you become the person you truly choose to be?

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