The New Year is approaching!
Hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday we were right here, kicking off 2020.
This year was an odd one, to be sure. But every year has one thing in common: it passes. The days keep on ticking by, and before you know it, you’ll be staring at another December. The only difference is that you’ll be a year older. It’s inescapable.
But is that the only difference? It doesn’t have to be.
It’s time to make a decision. Next year you’ll be a year older—do you also want to be a year better? Or a year happier? A year healthier?
We think you can be.
But what you can’t do is the same thing you did this year, and expect next year to be different. To get different results, something needs to change. That’s where we come in.
We know all about how hard it can be to make change. As naturopathic doctors, we often ask people to do things differently, and it’s not easy. But over thousands of patients and almost 20 years of doing this work, we know it’s more than possible.
Today, we’re kicking off a five-week series on habit change to prepare you for the upcoming year. Whether you want to change your diet or move your body more, or whether take control of your finances or perhaps finally write that book, the next few weeks will offer you the best advice we know for making changes that stick.
We’re going to tackle one specific strategy for habit change each week for the next four. But to kick things off, here are three things to embrace as you head into 2021.
1. Decide that your success this coming year is going to be about consistency, not quantity. Whether it’s eating better or saving more or exercising, the habit is what matters. Want to exercise more? We’d rather you reach the end of next year in love with your consistent, daily, never-miss, 15-minute walk than looking back at the handful of times you did 30 minutes before deciding you were just too busy.
Better to save $100 a month every month than $500 once. Better to write 250 words a day all year (and finish that book!) than 2500 words one weekend. Sustainable, incremental change is the game, and the YOU of one year from now can win that game.
2. Become a student of change. We’re going to distill some great habit change research and resources for you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build on that. Remember that what you focus on tends to change. So why not put your focus on some of our favourite habit change books? Each week we’ll recommend one of our faves. You don’t have to read them all, and you don’t have to read them all right away, but each one will help you learn. And each can help you stick to your new habits, or return to them if you stumble.
3. Ask yourself a big question. What does your future self need the most? Imagine yourself a year from now—what one new habit would you be most grateful for?
Happy New Year! Let’s make 2021 your best ever.
Yours in good health,
The StoneTree Team
Recommended reading: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
UPDATE: We’ve finished the habit series. Here are the rest of the weeks!