10 Non-Resolutions for 2019

We're nearing the end of the year, and I have to tell you... I don't love New Year's resolutions. I don't love the idea of waiting for a day to decide to change your life in a positive way. I think the second you get an idea in your head that will better your life, you should start working on it. Right the F now. 

I also don't love resolutions because it sets you up for quitting. If you say you're going to workout 5 days per week the entire year, and then God forbid get sick for a week and can't, suddenly you're let off the hook because you broke the resolution spell. 

Instead, I like to take this time for reflection. It's a good time to reflect on what didn't serve you in the past and letting those things go, what worked for you that you want to hold onto or expand upon, and what would make the coming year that much more special. 

So with that being said, here are my reflections, lessons, and non-resolutions that I will strive to live by (but know I won't be perfect at) in 2019...

1. Do the thing. Stop hesitating.

When you finally get the fearful voice in your head that says, "Slow down. It might not work. You might fail. That's unrealistic. It's scary. Don't do that." to shut up, your whole world can change very quickly.

I stopped "fiddling" with the blog and went for it.

I took the leap in reaching out to Tanya Foster, and she brought me numerous clients and many of the readers who are reading this right now.

I started reaching out to companies because I wanted to start doing speaking engagements (if you'd like me to do a free lunch and learn at your office, contact me here.)

I finally created and am excited to launch my online health and wellness Academy (for 50% off your tuition, click here before January 1st).

This has been the most full, growth oriented year I've had to date. And it's because I finally stopped stopping myself. If I had an idea of something I wanted to do, I did it. Period. 

More of that please.

2. Listen to your gut.

Whether it's about the thing that's going to make the difference in your health (for me it was Whole30), or if it's a decision about your dating life (like getting in or out of a relationship), or if it's about your job (maybe you want to seek something that gives you more joy and freedom), listen to your inner voice. Trust me he or she knows more than your logical brain ever will.

3. Say yes.

Stop living so timidly! Say yes to the date, say yes to the life changing trip, say yes to getting in shape, say yes to your life. And within that lesson, know when saying yes to yourself means saying no to someone else. 

Saying yes this year led to a magical Puerto Vallarta vacation where I overcame my fears and snorkeled for the first time (I'm terrified of the ocean).

Saying yes led me to make new friends in my industry.

Saying yes led me to my partnership with Freshii (you get 20% off all your orders as a student of Fit for Life Academy.)

Saying yes led to skiing in snowy Tahoe, conquering the Tough Mudder (or at least the first half, before they shut it down because of TOO MUCH MUD), lounging by the beach in Fort Lauderdale, running with the "bulls" in New Orleans, and dressing up as a pirate and camping at the Houston Renaissance Festival.

Say yes, life is way more interesting when you do!

4. Remember your bad assery. 

Ok, if there ever was a book that I can point to and say, "That book changed my life forever," it would be You Are a Bad Ass by Jen Sincero.

Bottom line: you are in control of your own life, you are blessed, you have the power to be happy right now. Step into your power, and choose to live your best life immediately. 

5. Stop seeking ease, instead seek growth.

I used to think an easy life is what I was after.

But the truth is, a life without struggle is a life without triumph. A life without facing fears is a life without building courage.

A life without failure is a life without true success.

So stop looking to make it easier, instead look to make yourself stronger.

 6. Stop playing small.

This year was the first year I admitted to myself that I really want to play big in my industry. I used to convince myself all I wanted was to have enough clients and make enough money to cover my bills and maybe a yearly trip.

But then I realized, it's not that I was truly content with the essentials, I was just scared and felt selfish wanting more.

No more. We all deserve to impact as many lives as possible with our gifts, we all deserve to travel to our heart's content, we all deserve to make more money, have more joy, be recognized for our talent. 

So stop playing small. Dream big, hustle big, and live big. 

7. Read more.

So I know I said I didn't love New Year's resolutions, but last year I made one. I said I wanted to read a book every month.

Well with the help of audible, that quickly turned into 2-3 books a month plus an absolute obsession with podcasts.

This past year I have learned more and developed more than I had in the previous 3 years combined simply because every spare minute I had was dedicated to personal growth and learning. 

8. Something is better than nothing.

I know I've fallen into the all-or-nothing trap in the past, but it really sank in this year. That mentality gets you nowhere quickly.

A 10 minute workout is better than no workout.

A short blog post is better than no blog post.

Eating just one healthy meal in the day is better than eating no healthy meals in the day.

Our life is a culmination of all of the small, seemingly insignificant decisions we make on a daily basis. So make the small decisions count.

9. Live below your means. 

I remember in the 3rd year of my business, I made significantly more money than the 1st or 2nd years. I knew this because when I filed my taxes I saw it. If not for that, I would have never known.

I didn't go on any lavish trips. I didn't remember going out to eat any more than usual. I wasn't living in a more expensive apartment. I couldn't point to a single thing that made my life better and justified spending every cent of the extra money I had made.

That was my turning point. I started budgeting monthly, tracking my spending and income using the app Spending Tracker, and intentionally living below my means.

In doing this over the past year, I have removed the financial stress of living paycheck to paycheck, I've created a safety net for myself, and I'm ready to take it up a notch with some investing this coming year.

Trust me when I tell you. It doesn't take much. A tiny bit of planning, accountability, and tracking, and you can create financial freedom for yourself without having to make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

10. Slow down. And breathe.

This was probably the most recent lesson that I will be very intentional about bringing into the new year. 

I love my job, I'm excited about where my career is going, and I work largely from home. Which means it is beyond easy to get swept up in creating more projects, more to-do's, more responsibilities for myself and not registering the side effects of excess stress and lack of self care. 

So this year, I will be focusing on bringing meditation, gratitude journals, and relaxation back into my life. 

What about you? What is your biggest take away from 2018?? Comment in the comments section below!