A New Year & A New Mantra for 2017
Hey Y'all!
1 Month Down, 11 More to Go!
There are NO games to be played in 2017.
Let's face it, there is a lot going on in the U.S. right now.
Different President, Same GOD!
Although we may not be able to control the political rhetoric & the negative energy that is happening around us on a day to day basis.
We can control what we do everyday to reach our goals,
to protect our energy &
to influence our circle of trust (our framily) in a positive way.
With that said, I am going to share with you all the tools I will be using this year to help keep me focused, positive, organized & ACCOUNTABLE. Because y'all know...
Sharing is Caring!
For the last 2 years I have done away with New Year's Resolutions.
One of the definitions of resolution is the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter. For me it started to take on a negative connotation. I was setting these so called "Resolutions" to correct or resolve a "bad behavior" or challenge that I had that needed to be corrected. And when I did not meet my expectations of the resolution I set for myself I would beat myself up and think negatively of myself. I realized I am approaching this all wrong.
How many of us have said to ourselves, in 2017 I am going to lose 35 lbs.
You set this resolution however, how are you going to lose 35lbs!? How Sway?!
I would just write down the resolution with no real actionable tasks to meet it. Then, on New Year's Eve I had the nerve to write down 35 resolutions to tackle in a year. I'll admit some of the things were just thrown on there because I knew can tackle it quickly & I just wanted to check something off to make myself feel good. I know I am not alone. I am raising my hand in solidarity with you.
So, I decided to approach this differently and in a more positive light.
My new approach is to set a mantra/theme for me to follow for the year and to set attainable goals vs. resolutions.
My mantra/theme is something I use to drive me to complete my goals & to keep my eyes on the prize. It literally helps me to keep centered & focused.
My mantra for 2017 is...
INTENTIONAL
My theme for 2017 is...
Do iT ANYWAY!
Passion Planner
Can I just say I love this planner. I used it in 2016 & it truly is a gem. They come in 2 different sizes. I chose the one that is easy to throw in my purse. The one I have is dated, your day is broken down by 1 hour increments & you can see your month & week at a full glance. There is also a weekly inspirational quote to help get your week started in the most positive way which I love. I noticed I retain things better when I write them down & see what my schedule for the month & week looks like. Also, it is a great way to hold yourself accountable. Create your schedule the night before so you already know what you need to do when you wake up the next day.
MyTaughtYou Hustle Journal
Oh, Myleik Teele. The Big Sister in my head & some of yours I'm sure. If you don't know of Myleik Teele, YOU SHOULD. She is the Founder of Curlbox. A subscription hair service curated for women of color. She has a great IG page, Snapchat & Twitter. My favorite outlet of hers is the Myleik Teele podcast. Just whip out your phone & follow her now if you aren't already!
Three years ago she created these journals for people to write their dreams, aspirations, goals, whatever you want to use it for. She provides notes in the front of the journal to guide you. This year's journal is the Hustle journal. She starts it off by sharing the definition of a hustler & then proceeds to break down healthy Hustle habits, Hustling backwards, a letter to a Hustler & more.
I am using it to brain dump ideas I have & to also write down what I am grateful for on a daily basis. I love having everything in one journal. I am a journal junky because I am obsessed with pretty stationary. So this is a challenge for me to keep everything in one place!
DESTINY Daily Readings by T.D. Jakes
FAITH. Nothing else is more important. LAWD knows we need Him now more than ever. I know I wanted a book that can give me quick, inspirational nuggets of inspiration. I like this one by T.D. Jakes. It is not dated so you can look in the index and jump around to different passages if you want. He covers being accountable, prayer, survivor's guilt, ego & more. Check it out or one like it. This can help keep you grounded during great times and challenging ones.
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Books are Back!
Not that they have physically gone away but I do think people are preferring to read a book vs. watch TV. Even though there are some awesome shows on the tube right now. Ok, back to the book! So, I use to be a book worm growing up. I mean well in to my 20's. I always had a book with me & couldn't put one down. Well I got out of reading books in my late 20's & lately I have had the urge to get back in the game. So my first read for 2017 is 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do. I've heard great things about this book. I believe Myleik even talked about it on her podcast. I THINK (don't quote me). Anywho, I am a person who has anxiety & who has gone to therapy for it. There's a moment of transparency for you. I am constantly having self talks with myself. Most of my self talks are good and some talks are bad. With that being said, I am looking to strengthen my mental toughness. Let me tell y'all something, the INTRODUCTION of this book alone will have a tear brimming in a thug's eye & will begin to get your ass together. Can not wait to finish this.
I want to be INTENTIONAL with everything I do,
Live life on purpose with a Do iT Anyway mentality.
In the past I have allowed Fear & Anxiety to STOP me from tackling & achieving my goals.
NO. MORE.
I have my better days & challenging days but I am constantly reminded in some way that God has my back & that I need to Do iT Anyway!
Fear has no place here.
What ever you want to do in life... Do iT ANYWAY.
Here are some tips I will share with y'all that has worked for me.
- Create 4 to 5 goals you want to reach by the end of the year. More than this will be overwhelming. If you reach a goal before year end, move to the next one & then possibly add another goal on the list.
- Create your daily to do list the evening before & do not write more than 4 to 5 items on it. They should relate back to your main goals for the year.
- My GGF's, sister, dropped this gem a couple of weeks ago. Make sure you create & take in things in digestible chunks. Take that in. Think about it. Sometimes we overwhelm ourselves. Anxiety and doubt starts to rise & then we abandon our goals. When this happens stop, breathe, pivot, readjust & try it again. Break things down in digestible chunks so that these goals can (& will) be attainable.
It's time to get out sh*t together people.
Let's do this!
-Get the Deets-
| Style Shoot Photographer | Mecca Gamble |
| Passion Planner | here - passionplanner.com |
| MyTaughtYou Journal by Myleik Teele | here - mytaughtyou.com |
| Destiny Daily Readings by T.D. Jakes | here - Amazon |
| 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin | here - Amazon |