Little Magpie

chasing shiny objects

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How To Tackle #19For2019

Please prepare yourself, because I am GIDDY.
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Down time and dreary days in January are some of my very favorites of the entire year, because they represent that lovely sense of carefully opening a brand new book, gently cracking the binding and preparing to dive in headfirst.
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I remember learning the term tabula rasa in high school, and it always bounces around my head this time of year in a promising way:
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Tabula rasa
noun, Latin.
An absence of preconceived ideas or predetermined goals; a clean slate.
Literally ‘scraped tablet,’ denoting a tablet with the writing erased.
However, I don’t know about you but I am T I R E D of new year’s resolutions. They seem silly and unrealistic, like a promise never intended to be kept.
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No matter how much we try to make them concrete, quantifiable and achievable, here’s the truth:
Around 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week in February.
(That’s according to U.S. News a couple of years ago… and I’m betting the number is even higher.)
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So: here’s a spin on making promises to yourself you might actually keep.
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One of my very favorite authors (Gretchen Rubin, of The Happiness Project) has a podcast along with her sister called Happier (it’s on my must-listen podcast list – bonus, a new podcast for the new year!)
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They recently discussed an idea that feels just right for those seeking a new way to tackle the new year. The concept is simple: make a list of 19 things to tackle in 2019.
I love the idea behind #19For2019 because it gives a lot of grace to try things, experiment and tackle both the meaningful and the mundane. 
Bonus: it’s as effective to kick it off on January 20 as March 15 or September 1!
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My one bit of additional advice? Keep yourself in check.
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For example, I’d love to eat dinner at the dinner table with my family at least three nights a week, but I know that life can get in the way.
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So rather than “eat dinner at the dinner table three nights a week” (which I would most certainly fail at by February 1), I went with: eat 100 meals at the dinner table together. That’s about twice a week, but all will not be lost if we miss a week (or three)!
I think the secret is in the law of averages rather than lofty goals.
I’ll be substituting round numbers for daily, weekly or monthly goals (which seem destined to fail).
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So instead of: read one book a month —> read 12 books. Rather than: walk 12,000 steps a day —> exceed 70,000 steps a week.
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And scratch: do yoga 5 days a week —> complete 40 hours of yoga. That’s about 20 minutes twice a week… and I would feel really proud of the equivalent of one work week of yoga per year!
So what do you think? Up your alley?
Why not – you’ve got a blank slate!
My girls and I are trying this, and we’d love to hear your thoughts (and see your lists)!
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Need a little more inspiration?
  • Hop on over to Happier Podcast Episode 199 to hear more about the concept as well as successes and failures from Gretchen and Elizabeth plus ideas from their podcast listeners.
  • Head over to Instagram and follow the #19For2019 hashtag
  • Creep my list (and share yours)! Make it pretty, make it practical – whatever floats your boat.
Here’s to 2019!

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