As we approach the end of January and the first month of the New Year, it’s a great time to pause, check-in on your fresh start and notice where you are. Some of us are entrenched in working on new goals and habits. You might be in the process of getting organized by editing and letting go of your excess stuff. You might be learning how to find homes for your things and practicing the retrieval/return process that is integral to maintaining that system. You might be arriving for appointments on time or preparing your meals for the week. Or, even though it’s the New Year, you might feel stuck and not sure what changes to make or goals to set. All of these are typical experiences, especially at this time of year. 

Recently I discovered this insight from one of my favorite authors and creative thinkers, Todd Henry. He says, “Your life and success will not be defined by the nouns you choose. It will be defined by the verbs.”

He elaborates and encourages us to, “Set noun-based goals in 2020. But choose verb-based daily activities to support them.”

Todd Henry’s advice is a simple, yet dynamic way to attain our goals. While taking time to think about what we want to accomplish or change is essential, nothing will happen until our daily actions align with our desired goals. For example, one of my goals this year is to focus on my health and well-being. That goal gets turned into ongoing verb-based activities such as:

• Practice yoga

• Practice mindfulness meditation

• Buy nutritious food

• Eat more vegetables

• Take walks in nature

• Spend time with family and friends

• Sleep 7-8 hours a night

• Write in journal

It can be challenging to stay motivated when the goal is as broad as mine:  focus on my health and well-being. Doing specific daily activities to support the big idea, like practice mindfulness meditation, creates a positive environment for change. Small, continual actions are the secret sauce. The doing creates the being. 

What goals have your attention? Which actions or verb-based words are leading your fresh start? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to leave a comment and join the conversation!