How to Make the Most of the Fresh Start of a New Year

“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” ~
Buddha

Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.

Were several days into the New Year, and many of us are still basking in
the glow of a fresh start.

Every year, January brings renewed optimism for change, for a better life,
for a better you. And thats a wonderful thing.

Its wonderful, because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our
lives and ourselves. It allows us to reinvigorate ourselves, to shed the
baggage of the previous year and do anything. Anything is possible!

That is a gift, my friends, and I suggest we make the most of this gift.
Not just by creating and sticking to resolutions (heres my guide for doing
that), but by reinventing the way we live.

Heres how.

1. Let go.

Many times we are held back by the tangled web of previous failures,
commitments, emotions, barriers. We cannot change careers because were used
to what were doing and its too hard to change. We cannot find time to get
healthy and fit because we have all these other things to do. We cannot
find time for our loved ones because we have too many commitments.

This is all old baggage. A fresh start demands a clean slate. Let
everything from the past go (easier said than done, I know). Clear your
plate and your palate.

Let go of attachments to what youve been doing for the past year, or years.
Let go of failures. Let go of fears youve built up. Let go of reluctance.
Let go of your ideas about what your life has to be like, because thats the
way its evolved so far. Let go of long-held beliefs and habits.

You have a fresh start. Let go of last year, and start anew.

2. Decide what matters most today.

Forget about your goals for all of this year. Instead, decide: what do you
want to do today?

What matters most to you, to your life? What are you most passionate about,
right now? What excites and invigorates you? What would give you the most
fulfillment?

Often the answer is in creating something, making something new, helping
other people, becoming a better person, working on a project that will be
an accomplishment to be proud of. But whatever your answer, have it clear
in your mind at the beginning of the day.

This might be something you work on all year, or it might just last a
month, or it might last a week or a few days, or just today. It doesnt
matter. What matters is today that youre going to work on this with all
your heart, today. Tomorrow well decide on that tomorrow.

3. Clear away distractions and focus.

Clear away email and Facebook and Twitter and your favorite blogs and news
websites and social forums, clear away the iPhone or Blackberry or Android
or cell phone, clear away all the little nagging work and chores and
errands that pull at your attention, clear away the clutter that surrounds
you (sweep it off to the side to deal with later).

In fact, if you can, shut off the Internet for awhile. You can come back to
it when you take a break.

Now, find focus. Even if only for 15 or 20 minutes at first, but preferably
for 30-60 minutes. You can take a break and check your email or whatever
after youve focused. Focus on the thing that matters most. Do it for as
long as you can, until youre done if possible. Feel free to take breaks,
but always return to your focus.

When youre done, focus on the next thing that matters most, and so on.

4. Find happiness now.

Dont look at happiness as something that will come when youre done with
this goal, or when youve attained a certain accomplishment or certain
amount of wealth or material goods. Dont look at happiness as a
destination, something that youll get later.

Happiness is possible right now. Always remember that. When you push it
back until later, itll never come. When you learn to be happy now, itll
always be here.

When youre doing whatever youre passionate about, whatever matters most,
whatever you decide is worthy of your time and heart and focus be happy!
Youre doing what you love. And that is truly a gift.

5. Reinvent yourself, every day.

Every day, you are reborn. Reinvent yourself and your life, every day. Do
what matters most to you, that day.

It might be the same thing that mattered most yesterday, or it might not
be. That isnt important. Whats important is today right now. Be
passionate, be happy, right now.

Youll have a fresh start every single day not just on January 1. And that,
my friends, is the best thing ever.

If you liked this guide, please bookmark it on Delicious or share on
Twitter. Thanks, my friends.



Read more about simplifying in my book, The Power of Less.

The Definitive Guide to Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

The Definitive Guide to Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions
‘Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.’ ~ Spanish Proverb
Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
Let’s face it: most of us fail when it comes to sticking to resolutions — so much so that many people swear never to make resolutions again.
And yet the rest of us are eternally hopeful when the New Year comes around, believing without any credible evidence that we can improve our lives, that change is possible, that we’re not going to be stuck in the same old rut again this year.
I’m here to tell you that you can do it. It’s possible. I’ll show you how.
The Problem with Most Resolutions
While I love the optimism of New Year’s Resolutions, unfortunately, the enthusiasm and hope often fades within weeks, and our efforts at self improvement come to a whimpering end.
New Year’s Resolutions usually fail because of a combination of some of these reasons:
• We try to do too many resolutions at once, and that spreads our focus and energies too thin. It’s much less effective to do many habits at once (read more).
• We only have a certain amount of enthusiasm and motivation, and it runs out because we try to do too much, too soon. We spend all that energy in the beginning and then run out of steam.
• We try to do really tough habits right away, which means it’s difficult and we become overwhelmed or intimidated by the difficulty and quit.
• We try to be “disciplined” and do very unpleasant habits, but our nature won’t allow that to last for long. If we really don’t want to do something, we won’t be able to force ourselves to do it for long.
• Life gets in the way. Things come up unexpectedly that get in the way of us sticking with a habit.
• Resolutions are often vague — I’m going to exercise! — but don’t contain a concrete action plan and don’t use proven habit techniques. That’s a recipe for failure.
There are other reasons, but the ones above are easily sufficient to stop resolutions from succeeding.
The 6 Changes Method
So what are we to do? I’ve created the 6 Changes Method, along with a new site called 6Changes.com, to solve these problems:
• We only focus on one habit change at a time, so our focus and energies aren’t spread thinly.
• We implement the habit changes gradually, so we don’t run out of steam.
• We start out really, really easily, so it isn’t intimidating.
• We focus on enjoyable activities, so we don’t need “discipline”.
• We have two months to do the habit change, so if something comes up, it’s but a small bump in the road. And because we’re publicly committed, we’re going to get back on track.
• We have a very specific plan with actions built in, using proven habit change techniques.
If you stick with the method, you’ll do much better than you’ve done in the past with New Year’s Resolutions. You’ll focus on creating long-lasting habits rather than trying to reach a short-term goal that fails. You’ll maintain your enthusiasm for longer and not become overwhelmed by the difficulty of change. You’ll have habits that will change your life, and that’s no small feat.
The Method
So how does the 6 Changes method work?
It’s simple:
1. Pick 6 habits for 2010.
2. Pick 1 of the 6 habits to start with.
3. Commit as publicly as possible to creating this new habit in 2 months.
4. Break the habit into 8 baby steps, starting with a ridiculously easy step. Example: if you want to floss, the first step is just to get out a piece of floss at the same time each night.
5. Choose a trigger for your habit – something already in your routine that will immediately precede the habit. Examples: eating breakfast, brushing your teeth, showering, waking up, arriving at the office, leaving the office, getting home in the evening.
6. Do the 1st, really easy baby step for one week, right after the trigger. Post your progress publicly. (Read more.)
7. Each week, move on to a slightly harder step. You’ll want to progress faster, but don’t. You’re building a new habit. Repeat this until you’ve done 8 weeks.
You now have a new habit! Commit to Habit No. 2 and repeat the process.
Further Reading
Read more on creating your new habits for the New Year:
1. Suggest habits. Which six will you choose? Some recommendations.
2. The Importance of Public Accountability. Why it’s one of the foundations of the method, and how to do it.
3. What’s a Trigger & Why Is It So Important? Another key to the method.
4. Why You Should Do Only One Habit at a Time. Answers one of the most common questions people have about the method.
5. How to Be Patient as Your Habit Develops. It’s not easy to do it this slowly, but here’s how it works and how to do it.
6. The Art of the Start of a Habit. Why starting is so hard and how this method overcomes it.
7. How to Kick a Bad Habit. Suggested method that has worked for me in the past.
8. How to Form the Exercise Habit. How to apply the method to the habit of exercise.
9. Key to Habit Change: Enjoy the Activity. Don’t force yourself to do something you hate. Find ways to enjoy it instead.
10. Make Your Habit Change a Priority. How not to let it drop by the wayside.
11. Don’t Worry So Much About Long-term Goals. Focus on the process, not the end point.
12. Why Daily Frequency of Habits is Important. Daily habits are better than ones you do once a week, or even 2-3 times a week.
‘It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.’ ~ Confucius
If you liked this guide, please bookmark it on Delicious or share on Twitter. Thanks, my friends.

One Small Massage For You

Editors note: This is a guest post from Jai Kai of SharingSuccess.tv.

As we move through our daily routines we are often faced with obstacles and
challenges which can lead to some degree of stress and anxiety. So to
become more relaxed and free of tensions it is important to break away from
your ordinary routine and find ways to de-stress. This process can be very
simple or more in depth, but why not try something new and different? Here
are 8, not your everyday ordinary, ways to de-stress and release tensions.

1. Massage your ears. The ear massage is a fantastic way to release
endorphins in your brain and make you feel good. The beauty is that it only
takes a few minutes. Start by gently rubbing your earlobes with your thumb
and index finger. Then squeeze the outer edges of your ears all the way to
the top. These parts of your ears have tiny reflex points that can relax
specific areas of your body. Finish by using your index fingers and middle
fingers to massage behind the ears on the bony part of your skull.

2. Finger paint. If you thought that getting messy and painting with your
fingers was strictly for kids, think again. Finger painting allows you to
have fun, be artistic and play in a child like way. It gives you permission
to express your creativity and spontaneity without expectations. So why not
be the creator of some new abstract art pieces. Visit a nearby children’s
store and pick up a set of finger paints – ages 10 and up.

3. Strip down your living room. Take note and see how much stuff you have
laying around your house, especially your living room – the place where you
often wind down and relax. Then, declutter and learn the powerful art of
Minimalism. Get rid of anything and everything you don’t use or need. Give
away or donate decorations and household items. An open and clean space
creates a place of peace and tranquility. It’s also easier to relax when
you are not surrounded by stuff such as laundry, work, electronics and even
reading materials because your subconscious mind doesn’t feel like you have
things to do.

4. Try laughing yoga. We all know that the power of laughter has a
wonderful effect on our mood and is one of the best feel good things we can
do. However, the opportunity to laugh like this doesn’t always come easily
and often. A fun and crazy way to make yourself laugh uncontrollably is to
find (google) a class, club or yoga studio in your area that offers
laughing yoga. You may have to step out of your comfort zone but you will
be in for a wonderful and hilarious surprise.

5. Procrastinate. Make a list of things to do and then don’t do it. Call it
your procrastination list. Then make the decision to engage in something
you really feel like doing. If and when you become inspired to do something
on your procrastination list then go for it. Maybe you really don’t have to
do those things on your procrastination list or perhaps someone else may
want to do those things for you. I believe that if you’re not accepting,
enjoying or enthusiastic about what you’re doing then you shouldn’t do it.
By procrastinating you often let go of resistance and become more relaxed.

6. Be brutally honest. Have you ever felt frustrated with yourself because
you wanted to say something to someone but didn’t in fear of what might
happen, what that person might think or how you might make them feel.
Instead of bottling things up inside you, which causes stress and tensions,
why not let it go through the power of honest speech. Express your emotions
and tell people how you really feel without being rude or obnoxious. Be
loud and bold. Notice how relieved you feel.

7. Dance in the rain. How often do you see people getting upset and running
for cover when it starts to pour? Next time it rains, have a little fun,
get wet and do a little dance. Engage all your senses and enjoy the moment.
Even sing if you want to. You will be surprised how refreshing and
rejuvenating it is. For those of you who live in colder climates, try
dancing in the snow or making snow angels.

8. Enjoy a staycation. Instead of travelling somewhere on a holiday, stay
at home and enjoy a local vacation. To make it an adventure, get a map of
some nearby hiking trails and plan some day hikes. If youre in a colder
climate consider cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing. Try a new activity
such as outdoor photography. Visit some local cafes that sounds interesting
and that you’ve never been to before. If you need a break from your kids,
recruit a friend or relative to baby-sit. Have fun and get to know your
area.

As we get caught up in the moment of being busy sometimes we just need to
step back, let go of what we are doing and pursue new little passions that
dissolve tension and creates stress free, happy experiences. I sincerely
hope you give one or some of these a try and remember to have fun, be in
the present moment and watch your anxieties melt away.

Jai Kai is a Success Coach, Yoga Instructor and Blogger for
SharingSuccess.tv. He enjoys teaching people the art of perusing passion.
You can subscribe to his feed here.

Simple Manifesto: Break Free from the Tyranny of the Clock

“But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day.” - Benjamin Disraeli

For tens of thousands of years, human beings didn’t have clocks. They lived, amazingly, by the sun and the moon and seasons and the needs and rhythms of their bodies.

The clock is a very very recent invention, and even more recent is our modern society’s slavish adherence to the dictatorship of the clock.

Only very recently have we been forced to work from 8 to 5, and to go to school and follow a very rigid class schedule. Only very recently have we become obsessed with tracking and making use of every minute, so that we have things to do when we’re waiting for other things to happen.

Only recently did we begin to lose our humanity, begin to lose the art of conversation and the art of listening to our bodies, begin to lose sight of what’s really important and begin to become robots.

I’m as guilty as anyone else, but as I simply my life I begin to question the culture that surrounds me and wonder why it is that I feel so pressured to do things so quickly, by a timeline or schedule set by others, to be so productive when what I really want is to be happy.

Have you ever felt that way? I know I’m not alone.

I have a solution, and it’s not original I’m sure but it surely isn’t as common as it should be: break free from the clock. Get in touch with the rhythms of life, of your body and of nature. Be more relaxed and reject the notion that time rules us.

The Benefits of Being Free of Clockhood

Now, I’m not saying that we should throw our clocks and watches away (though I don’t own a watch) … I’m not saying we should all quit our jobs and go live in the woods. I know that my reality is different from most people, as I’m my own boss — but ask yourself, is it possible for you to be your own boss? And if not, is it possible at least to find a job where you can set your own schedule? For many people, it is possible. For others, you won’t be able to live all the tenets of this manifesto, but you can change smaller things, here and there.

Why should you change things? Because the clock is meaningless — we follow it without really realizing why. We follow it because we’ve been raised to believe we should, and because those who control us (bosses, corporations, schools, etc.) set schedules we must follow. The clock, then, is a means to control us — and that, in my book, is as good a reason to break free from it as any.
Beyond issues of freedom, breaking free from the clock is healthier. It’s healthier to follow your natural sleep rhythms, to eat when you’re hungry rather than when it’s time to eat, to live a more relaxed schedule rather than to be stressed out all the time trying to meet deadlines and follow artificial schedules.

How to Break Free

It’s probably not advisable to try to change your life drastically, if you are interested in breaking free of the clock’s tyranny. Change things a little at a time. Below are a few things I’ve been doing, or that I’m trying to do, that you might consider. You don’t have to do all of them — pick one and give it a try, and see if it is useful. The list, of course, isn’t comprehensive, but I hope it helps you spark some ideas of your own.

1.) Don’t eat on the clock. Why do you think we’re taught to eat “three squares a day”? In human history, this is a very strange concept. People used to eat when they were hungry (or at least, when the food was available), not at predetermined times of the day. The answer, of course, is that it is a better structure for industrialized corporations — people, in the early days of working in factories, had to be broken from their natural eating patterns and only given one meal break a day. Too many eating breaks means lost profits! So we learned to eat before work, then once during work, then after work. Partly as a result of that, we’re ravenous during lunch and dinner times, and we overeat. And we eat unhealthy stuff because of our ravenous hunger, and we get fat. Instead, learn to listen to your body, and eat when you get a little hungry. Grazing is a good thing, actually. Eat healthy stuff if you can, and don’t eat beyond what it takes to satisfy your body’s hunger. Don’t eat if you’re not hungry just because it’s time to eat. Learn to trust your body’s hunger signals, and you’ll become much healthier.

2.) Don’t work on the clock. We work on set schedules for the same reason — for corporations to maximize profits. But we don’t need to be controlled by corporations. If you have the chance to set your own schedule, learn to find the times when you have the most energy, and do your important work at these times. Learn to follow your passion, and do work that gets you excited, and you’ll do a better job. Many companies these days allow people to change their schedules and work from anywhere — these are the companies you want to work for (unless you can find a way to work for yourself). These are the companies of the future, that recognize that people aren’t robots and need to be able to work whenever they want, as long as they get the work done.

3.) Do fewer things. This is a maxim of Zen Habits, of course — do the important stuff, not just busywork. Do less, but focus on the high-impact stuff. I’m repeating it here because it’s an important cornerstone of the clockless method: if you do fewer things, you can do them at a more relaxed pace, instead of rushing to try to do everything within a set schedule. This rule applies not only to your work life, but to your life in general — do fewer errands, chores, civic activities, etc. in order to have a more relaxed schedule.

4.) A more relaxed schedule. Once you’ve learned to do fewer things, and to work when your energy is high, you can learn to structure your day at a more relaxed pace. Leave lots of space between appointments so that you have transition time to get ready, to get to where you need to go, to finish up what you were doing, without having to rush. Or better yet, avoid making appointments. Know what you want to do today, but do them in any order you like and at whatever time works best for you.

5.) Meditate and/or exercise. These two related activities allow you to get more in touch with yourself, you inner mind, and with the world around you. If you sit in an office all day, when will you get outside to breathe fresh air and see what the sky looks like? If you don’t stop doing the million things you do every day, when will you be able to close your eyes and listen to what is happening within you? While you don’t need to meditate or exercise every day, I highly recommend it.

6.) Take naps. Naps have been given a bad name (though they seem to be making a comeback), mostly because people who take naps are seen as lazy. Yet in many countries outside the United States, people take regular naps in the afternoons (think siestas) and in my opinion, this is a more enlightened way of living. Since working from home, I have discovered the power of the nap, and have come to look forward to it almost as much as I look forward to exercise. When you find yourself getting tired in the middle of the day, listen to your body and sleep.

7.) Learn to listen to your intuition. We have become out of touch with our intuitions. Now, I’m not a new-agey hippy type (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but I do believe that listening to our bodies and our non-rational minds has a lot of value. It is healthier and saner. However, it’s not easy to learn — it takes time, and it takes listening. Try it today, and see if you can stop resisting your intuition and live more in tune with yourself.

8.) Take time to talk and connect. How many times have you run into a friend or family member, said a quick hello, and then moved on because you were in a hurry? When did we lose touch with our fellow human beings? I believe that this is a key to our dehumanization, to our becoming robots: we no longer connect with other people as much as we used to do. We’ve lost the skills necessary to have an enjoyable, relaxed conversation. We’ve lost the institutions that encourage discussion and debate and thinking and participation. Instead, we watch TV and stare at the computer and sit in our cubicles and our one-person cars and rarely if ever make human contact. This separation disempowers us (if that’s even a word, but it should be), and makes us powerless and inhuman. Instead, next time you see someone you know (or even if you don’t know them), stop, breathe, smile, relax, talk, listen.

9.) Spend time on the important things. Another maxim of Zen Habits, of course: learn to step back and think about what’s important in your life. Learn to spend time doing these things instead of the things that have naturally come to fill your life. Forget about schedules and clocks and instead focus on what’s important. You’ll be glad you did.

“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.” - Henry David Thoreau

Life Will Kill You, Not Blogging

I was going through my daily RSS health reading when I came across an article in the NY Times. By now, you should know what it’s about: blogging being “bad” for your health. Being the curious soul that I am, I went over and read the article and it got me thinking about my blogging health.

Well, the article basically says that blogging can kill ya! And it has, allegedly, killed some. Of course that’s a bit overboard but it does bring up some good points about blogging, and life in general. Now, as an ever thinking being I always try to extract positive, worthwhile information from my experiences. Always. That’s just the way I have grown up to be.

You can die of natural causes no matter what your profession. You can even die if you are healthy. I have read of people that were in really good shape dying of heart attacks. But then you have my grandma that has been chain smoking for 75% of her life (she is in her 80’s) and she is alive and kicking. I honestly think that if she quit smoking she would die sooner. Anyway, enough death talk. My point is that it is crucial that a balance be found. Blogging is just another hobby, another job, another profession. It doesn’t kill people. Animals kill people. Um, I mean, people kill people. The actions we take, and medical conditions we are born with, are what determine our demise and health. There I go with the death talk again. No more. Pinky swear. Did you just do it? Because I did.

The people in the NY Times article weren’t as healthy as they could be because of their own lack of balance. Not because of blogging. Blogging was just the thing that they were obsessed about. It could have been anything though. Like mountain climbing or watching tv. Neglecting your health is YOUR fault, not anyones or thing’s fault (unless you are hospitalized or institutionalized).

The blogging world has seen a massive growth spurt and mainstream media is beginning to take notice. Like I said earlier, the article raised some interesting points. I believe that things should be done with balance and moderation. Once someone masters those two elements within themselves, they can begin to do anything. For me, blogging is a drug. It’s a way for me to express myself. It’s just plain fun. I have been blogging for almost a year now (got a bit more serious about it after a few months of playing around with the notion of exposing my fat pictures) and can honestly say that I am healthier because of blogging.

Get Healthy with Blogging Formula
How am I healthier you ask? It’s simple really. I blogged. I read. People read. I felt accountable for my weight loss and health. We formed a community. I felt inspired. They felt inspired. I lost weight. I got healthier. I blogged some more. Repeat. It’s a no-brainer really.

It all boils down to a person being able to make the distinction between balance and obsession. Wait, does that sound right? Let me think this out. I’m obsessed with the internet and blogging, but I am still able to find balance between life, health, family, and the web. Hmmm. So it doesn’t boil down to obsession and balance, it boils down to balancing obsessions and responsibilities/necessities.

Our mind and bodies need to be taken care of. Period. We need to eat healthy, be physically active, and entertain our minds. The thing many people fail to realize is that you only need 20 to 30 minutes a day of light physical activity to get healthier. Some folks need more than others but generally speaking 20 minutes is enough. Sprinkle in some veggies, fruits, water, and other healthy foods and you are on your way to a healthier lifestyle. All with only an hour of your time each day being used up. Now take 6 to 8 hours to sleep each day and that leaves you with 15 to 17 hours of “awake” time to satisfy your obsessions (assuming you took care of your other responsibilities that is).

A Pep Talk A Day, Keeps The Balance In Play
I use a quick mental checklist each day to help me stay balanced. It goes like this. After I wake up I give myself a pep talk. I tell myself that the day will be good and that I will accomplish be daily duties of being healthy and balanced. It works wonders because if I don’t make sure to fulfill my duties of being healthy (exercising, eating right) and balanced (spending time with family) then I feel like crap. And I really dislike feeling like crap. A LOT! So I have all day to make sure I spend at minimum a few hours with my family and get at least 30 minutes of exercise in. After many attempts I had mastered finding this balance. Guess what it took? Repetition.

At the end of the day it all boils down to are you happy with how you are living your life? If not, are you doing anything to change that? Are you balanced in life, family, health, and work?
Well, are you?