In the beginning, I made New Year’s Resolutions like everyone else, because I thought it would make me more productive, more goal oriented, more accomplished, make me a better person.  In actuality, all they did were make me feel like a failure.  By February, my resolutions were all but forgotten, obviously having met not one single item.  So, I ditched the annual resolution thing.  By definition, a resolution is “to find a solution to a problem”, but we are not problems.  Sure, we all have room for improvements, but to expect a total overhaul of our personalities, our lifestyles, everything that we are, that’s just unrealistic.

As 2019 dawned, I looked back on 2018 and tried my best to find something of value that I had accomplished; honestly, I had trouble.  I felt as if 2018 was a stagnant year for me.  But the more I searched for what I had accomplished, the more I realized, for me, 2018 was a year of reflection and reorganization.  It was a year that taught me how to prioritize things in my life.  It taught me I don’t have to do 5,000 things at once in order to get things done.  It taught me I can slow down and concentrate on one or two—okay, maybe three or four—things at once and actually not just complete tasks, but see positive results.  I am a procrastinator by nature. I am also a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal. Structure and confines are not my things.  2018 taught me that, in order for me to be productive, I need some semblance of structure in my life.  As a result, I am bringing back journaling and being diligent with a planner.  I find that, if I have a to-do list, I get much more accomplished.  If I have a plan for tomorrow, I am much more focused and likely to get it done.  A friend recently said to me, “Today is my tomorrow.”  This will be my 2019 mantra.  Don’t get me wrong, I will still live in the moment, procrastinate and be spontaneous; but I will plan for it a little better.

Thank you 2018 for allowing me to look back and realize I was in a personal reorganization.  I did not fail. I am not a problem. I came back stronger than ever.  I am grateful for the down time, but I’m ready to do all the things in 2019.  So, if you had setbacks or 2018 just wasn’t your year, we have a brand new opportunity—twelve months of blank pages.   I know you’re tired.  I know you’re disheartened.  I also know you are stronger than you believe.  Regroup and let’s do this together!