No. 1 game-changing life hack from 2020

I know, I know: the calendar professes 2021. And that means the proverbial clean slate. Yet, I continue to marvel at the lessons I learned in 2020. One of the best—and I dare say “game-changing life hacks”—happens to be my “discovery” of the podcast. OK, I realize podcasts date back to 2004. (I never promised I’m a quick learner—just that you can teach old dogs new tricks). But when the catch phrases work from home, curfews and self-isolation served to shrink our respective corners of the world last year, my introduction to podcasts provided a way out, so to speak. Podcasts, for me, became an open door to expand my knowledge base on such topics as tips and techniques for authors, writing as a business, online “church” and more. And the best part? You can subscribe—for free—to any and all subject matter that piques your interest. My favorite this week? Write Now podcast with Sarah Werner.

What’s your game-changing life hack from 2020?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Happiness is… losing track of time

In my post “…starting over in 2021,” I mention embarking on a Bucket List Journey by Annette as a way to embrace possibility for the new year. If you’ve yet to check it out, give it a whirl. Each day provides thought-provoking questions that force you—in a good way—to reflect on what inspires you, what challenges you to pinpoint areas in your life that need to change and what activities you desire to incorporate more of on a regular basis. Try this prompt on for size: Which activities cause me to lose track of time? For me, this includes hiking, writing, reading and playing games. The list can be as short or as long as you like—but consider those instances when an hour or more flies by unnoticed because you were consumed with whatever captured your attention. And then take it a step further: How can I add more of those moments into my daily life?

Which activities cause you to lose track of time?

Starting out strong: face meets brick wall

The title of this post pretty much describes how 2021 started out in my world. Running (okay, power walking) on a full tank and starting out strong. And then face planting. Nothing says “new year” like a boatload of resolutions, goals and aspirations, right? Herein lies the struggle: tackling #allthethings and maintaining momentum. I remember my excitement while planning out my goals for the year—divided into quarters, broken down into months and weeks—with each month comprising categories, such as personal growth, work/vocation, health & fitness, etc. But here’s where face meets brick wall: expecting (and doing) too much (too soon!). Once again, that requires taking my own advice. As listed in goal-setting tips + trips, a good rule of thumb can be found by practicing SMART planning. However, it also means setting no more than 1-3 important goals each morning—and then tackling the task(s) likely to have the biggest positive impact on your life—or “eating the frog.”

How does your year look thus far?

Image courtesy of gubgib at freedigitalphotos.net.

Goal-setting tips + tricks for 2021

If you’re like me, you might be looking at the calendar and thinking: “How can it already be mid-January?” Granted, while it’s a new year, the weight of 2020’s baggage nevertheless lingers. Also, I’m still trying to establish my goals for the next 12 months. For those who might need a little extra push, I’ve compiled a list of “Top 10” links (in no particular order) that focus on goal-setting tips and tricks for 2021. And, if you wonder about the worth of goal setting, according to Forbes: people with goals prove 10 times more likely to succeed. Good odds in my opinion.

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikekappel/2020/12/10/become-a-pro-at-setting-business-goals-in-the-new-year-with-these-6-tips/?sh=3894eeb83900: be specific + celebrate milestones
2. https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/12/29/tips-and-tricks-to-goal-setting-for-a-successful-2021/: get support + embrace failure
3. https://rdicorp.com/4-tips-on-goal-setting-set-yourself-up-for-success-in-2021/: be SMART
4. https://medium.com/@KellySchuknecht/7-goal-setting-tips-to-make-2021-the-best-year-ever-17926e76127c: think outside the box
5. https://www.coaching-online.org/goals-for-2021/: think about the “why”
6. https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/smart-goal-setting: make it measurable
7. https://dirtybootsandmessyhair.com/a-guide-to-effective-goal-setting/: make it relevant
8. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm: create an action plan
9. https://benjaminhardy.com/if-you-dont-believe-in-setting-goals-its-because-you-dont-know-how-to-do-it/: adopt a growth mindset
10. https://alwaysthewritetime.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/setting-goals-isnt-brain-surgery/: stick to it

What’s your favorite goal-setting link, tip and/or trick?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.