Happy New Year! I just love January 1st. Yes, goals can be set any time of the year, but there's something special about 'starting fresh' on New Year's Day.

New Year's resolutions have been set by many people around the world. Sadly, most of those resolutions will be broken in a week or two. Why? There are a number of reasons.

One reason is because once a person 'slip ups' once, it's easy to do so again and again. And every time there's a set-back, the discouragement often causes folks to give up, rather than start over.

Another reason is because resolutions are often too big and not well-defined. People will vow to save more, eat healthier, exercise more, be nicer, and so on. But what do all of those really mean? If your resolution is to be nicer, what exactly will you be doing? Will you try to smile at 10 people each day? Will you stop yourself every time you hear yourself making a negative remark, write it down in your journal, and reflect on it each evening? Will you pay for someone else's coffee once a week?

And how will you track if you're on task? Do you have a spreadsheet to ensure you're doing these things each and every day? Do you have a progress app on your phone? And what is your plan when there's a set back, like when you're driving and someone suddenly cuts you off? You know...those times that it's hard to be nice.

A third reason is because you may know you 'should' set resolutions because 'they're good for you' like eating more veggies, but sometimes in your heart of hearts, you're not really committed to doing so.

A fourth reason is because trying to do something...anything...for a whole year (or for a lifetime) without any set backs, is almost always setting yourself up for failure. Anything you're trying to do for that long of a period of time takes work, has setbacks, and needs constant motivation.

Here's what I like to do. Instead of setting up New Year's Resolutions, I set up 12 PROJECTS...one for each month of the new year. Once I do, I schedule 21 days on my calendar in that scheduled month to work on that project. Why 21? a) Because doing something every single day can get old very quickly (it's nice to 'take a break when possible' so to speak, and b) because if it's something that I'd like to permanently take hold in my life, doing it for this many days helps to instill commitment. This certainly doesn't mean you can't work on it every single day. It just gives you 'a bit of an out' if you need it.

It's very important that you set up rules for these 12 PROJECTS. For instance, your JANUARY PROJECT may be to EXERCISE at least 21 days in January. OK, that project title is now done. Now, how are you going to do it?

1) Set the date.
You're going to first schedule specific days and times on your calendar when you're going to work on this 'project,' and keep those appointments just like you keep other important appointments.

2) Get the ingredients.
When you're going to make a recipe, you have to get ingredients to make that recipe. Same with projects. Figure out what 'ingredients' you need to make it work. For your EXERCISE project, you may need to join a gym, buy some exercise equipment, get yourself some running shoes, secure some work out clothes, get a tracking device so you can track your progress, etc.

3) Give yourself variations.
If you plan to get your exercise done by running, and you don't like running in the rain, what will you do during inclement weather? Will you run at the gym? Will you swim instead? Something I like doing, for those projects that allow me to do so, is making a whole list of variations to choose from each day. This reduces boredom, and gives me a list of 'rain plans' when needed.

4) Set the rules.
Give yourself a list of project rules so you have daily guidelines to follow. For instance, with the Exercise Project, rule one may be to exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes, rule two may be to exercise on all weekdays AND if you miss a weekday, you make a Saturday or Sunday the 'make- up' day, rule three may be to 'schedule an exercise date with a friend...and keep that date...at least once a week. You get the picture.

5) Commit and proclaim.
This may sound silly, but it's very important to make a solid commitment to yourself. Plus, letting the world know your plans helps you be accountable not only to yourself, but to others as well. Write a letter to yourself detailing your monthly project, the days you're going to work on it, the variations you can use, and the rules you've set. Sign it and date it. Share it with your spouse, a good friend, and/or your Facebook friends. Ask your 'cheerleaders' to check-in with you, from time to time, to be sure you're on track.

Then, for each date you've set, work on your January project, using your ingredients, variations, and rules, as committed.

Once you're nearing the end of the month, set your February project...which can be completely different than your January project...or a continuation of your January project. And so on and so forth for every other month of the year.

Enjoy this first day of 2019. While you're on the road to happiness and success, the most important rule is always to look ahead. May you reach your many destinations and may each journey be exciting and fulfilling. Happy New Year!

For super quick details on how you can say goodbye to clutter, visit:

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All people have clutter to some degree. You may have a little. You may have a ton. MOST people are somewhere right in the middle.

For anyone who has clutter, have no doubt in your mind that CLUTTER GROWS. Small clutter challenges soon turn into large clutter issues.

Plus, clutter is sneaky...it doesn't only show up in the pile of shoes you may have in your closet, the overload of toys in the toy room, the boxes of stuff in the basement, or the stuffed-to-the-max drawers and closets in your home. Clutter can actually invade your life in FOUR forms...

1. Physical Clutter
2. Paper Clutter
3. Digital Clutter
4. Emotional Clutter

Once clutter is here, it begins to wreak all sorts of havoc...

There is only one way to get rid of clutter...and that is by using a proven- effective clutter-removing system. Only then will you be able to face clutter head-on and have the clutter-free life you deserve.

Want to say goodbye to your clutter? I have just the thing you need for a glorious, clutter-free life. For more details, visit:

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P.S...when you claim your very own copy of GOODBYE CLUTTER... before FRIDAY, January 4th...you'll also get $144 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES (ALL written by me!)

GON Statistics: What's up with the jeans in your closet? Find out
getorganizednow.com/statistic-jeans.html



GON Monthly Organizing Checklist A new year...a new 'organized' you! Begin the year with our NEW January Organizing Checklist!
getorganizednow.com/organizing-checklist-jan.html


GON Mini Organizing Challenges For each week of January, our challenges will be focused on Eliminating Paper Clutter. Do your mini challenge for week 1 this week.

getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-jan19-paper-clutter.html


In ADDITION, on my home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

* New Year: That's the theme of the two quotes on my home page this week. Check them out, be inspired, and focus this 'word of the week' on yourself

* Facebook Feature: What are your top 3 organizing goals? Join the discussion


Access all of the above on my home page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.'
Criss Jami




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Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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