What do you need to make a change?

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 67

Susan G.S. Abel

Jan 05, 2024

Welcome to 2024 Pen to Paper readers! I’m happy you have joined me this year.

We have four days under our belt. Are you used to writing “2024” yet?

The New Year brings changes other than writing a new date.

In this newsletter:

Resolutions for change (or not)
The Obstacles
Positivity and Change

Do you have resolutions to change?

We all wish to change in some way.

To have a better life, to be a better person, have more money, have less stuff, be happier, get in shape, the list goes on. Sometimes, the desire for change is a vague want of something better. Sometimes, it's very specific, like running a marathon. How can we make the change happen?

Which camp are you in on the making of resolutions?

Are you a believer in the power of resolutions? Or are you more the live and let live kind?

If you have been reading my newsletter, you know I fall in the former category. I wasn’t always like this. For years, I would think of a resolution only to abandon it after months or days, depending on the resolution.

Now, we have so many tools to help us change. A few are:

Habit tracking
Vision boards
Daily mantras to review
Themes for the year

It boils down to what strategy works for you.

The Obstacles

Whether you choose to pursue your goals with a specific action plan or leave it to luck, there will be obstacles.

One obstacle for many of us is believing that if we only had _____ (fill that in with your word of choice), we could accomplish our goal.

If I only had money.

If I only had time.

You could rephrase the sentence as, ‘if my life were less complicated.’ There are many ways to phrase the sentence. They are all excuses we tell ourselves.

These excuses are based on negative thoughts.

Positivity and Change

All strategies for change that work have something in common.

Positivity.

We need positivity to create change, no matter the strategy. Change requires a positive mindset, the belief that we can take the necessary steps and we will meet the expectations we’ve set.

Our positivity is vital to overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way of success.

Everyone has a messy life. No two people are facing the same challenges or have the same goals.

Our positivity carries us through our messiness toward our goals.

This includes the way we write and approach our goals. In 2020, Oscarsson, Carlbring, Andersson, and Rozental published an academic research paper titled “Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals.” In other words, choose positively stated goals such as “I will exercise 5 out of 7 days” instead of negatively phrased goals such as “ I will not skip a day of exercise.”

This year, I’m increasing my positive mindset toward my most difficult goal by writing positive affirmations in my journal. I already journal, so this will be easy.

I love walking. I don’t feel the same about strength training. One of my goals is to strengthen the muscles around my arthritic joints. I’ll write my affirmations about it daily, along with my gratitude. I can make this change in my lifestyle!

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go exercise.

I want to keep up with my granddaughter. Photo by S.G.S. Abel

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

I’m grateful for the inspiration I get from the desire to keep up with my granddaughters. 🏃‍♀️
My word for the year is directly related to my major goals. I’ve chosen “current” for its multiple meanings. First, it reminds me of the water that finds its path around obstacles. Second, to remind me to be present.🌊
A quote: “In life you will run into many obstacles, they will seem incredibly difficult to face and in some ways seem almost impossible to overcome. You must remain strong, have faith and eventually you will find your way through it. Become water and flow like it.” -Roger Lee
It’s good to practice making only positive statements. Can you take the word “not” out of your vocabulary?
I continue to be grateful for the daily habit of writing gratitude. It has helped me reduce my use of the word “not.” ✍️
Maybe reinforcing my affirmations with knowledge will help me stay focused on the steps to achieve my goal. Here’s an article on strength training. 💪
I love this website for two reasons: first, I love a story of any kind, and second, I love how a simple action can become a habit and grow into something to share and bring joy. ☕

Now, I invite you to share, in one word, a change you are pursuing. We might find some accountability partners. (Mine would be strength.)

Take Pen to Paper