I have been writing this blog for 6 years, and penned a number of New Year’s articles in that time. You can find my earlier pieces on our website. There are some great tips on how to use your personal “Triad of Change” (that is your “go-to” personality style) to maximize your ability to make changes in your life (“New Year, New You” – December 2013). Last year we examined the quote “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time,” where we looked at the value of goal setting and how to set “SMART” goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable and Time-Sensitive.)
This year, I wasn’t “feeling it”, as I prepared for a January article. Then Jane reminded me that we are heading into 2020. Of course, there have already been clever memes on social media about having (or not having) 2020 vision in the coming year. But how can this apply to our lives and our health?
2020 vision is defined as having normal visual acuity measured at a distance of 20 feet. I had to look it up. That means that with 2020 vision, you can see things that are 20 feet away as well as the next guy. Dr. Google, in describing this, points out that with the “gift of many birthdays” (more than 45- his words, not mine), one can develop presbyopia, and have 2020 vision for distance and yet still need glasses for near-range vision. That is me! I can’t even look at my phone anymore without my Dollar Store reading glasses.
In the same way, as we have more birthdays behind us, we can maintain a vision for our lives- whether we choose to make New Year’s Resolutions each January or waltz into the New Year without any written goals. However, it may become increasingly difficult to “see” the finer details, and some additional aid may be required for attaining vision, just as my reading glasses help my eyesight. When I was younger I could eat anything without gaining a pound. As I have gotten older, I now require some aid to not increase my waist line with the same amount of food. I use a cleanse/detox regime to aid my vision for what my waist line should be. Also, I used to be able to exercise or run without a second thought, and I now find that my aging joints require a little extra care. I do specific exercises to maintain proper muscle balance so I can walk up stairs without favouring old injuries. With increased age, we need a little more maintenance, like a fine vintage automobile! (join us for our next “Optimal Health” workshop to learn tips you might employ!)
Sometimes we don’t want to make goals or resolutions for the New Year because it seems to be dishonouring the person we were in the previous year. I really liked a quote a friend shared from Emily McDowell, written as a “toast” to the OLD you. It said, “if you feel inspired to use the New Year to help you reset or change habits: Great. And yet: the Old You has survived every terrible day, every hard thing, every awful circumstance and every heart break you’ve ever felt. The Old You is a fighter and that’s worth celebrating.”
I’m not saying you need to start the New Year with a list of things to change about yourself. Let’s appreciate who we are and what we’ve come through. However, whether it is January or July, taking stock of our strengths and examining areas we would like to grow in will lead us to living our best lives. Without self examination, we can get stuck in the same place. I wrote a children’s book 6 years ago, and have been meaning to work on getting it published. Without a plan, it will still be sitting on my shelf 6 years from now! Whatever you want to accomplish in your life, career, or health, your 2020 vision may require specific focus to be fully visualized. Goal setting will always benefit you.
To quote our Shaughnessy Wellness’ Facebook post: (make sure you follow us!)
A dream written down with a date becomes a goal.
A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.
A plan backed by action becomes reality!
Best wishes for an Amazing 2020!