In the course of the duties of on a regular basis life, we will get so busy that it may be troublesome to take the power and time to pause and mirror.
Because of this, I’m an enormous fan of any train that helps us to step again and take into consideration adjustments we would make to turn out to be happier, more healthy, extra productive, or extra artistic.
Typically, that catalyst is a date, akin to January 1—if you need extra concepts of dates to make use of, check out the Calendar of Catalysts.
Questioners could protest that the date of January 1 is bigoted, but it surely does mark a milestone in time, and is a cultural second that reminds us to suppose large and broad.
On the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, we focus on completely different approaches to creating change. For 2023, we’ve talked about becoming a member of the yearly problem (#Outside23in23), figuring out a one-word theme for 2023, and making a “23 for 2023” record.
Analysis exhibits that once we set particular goals for ourselves, no shock, we’re extra more likely to obtain them. So taking the time to make this record could make an enormous distinction to our happiness.
Through the years, we’ve seen the artistic ways in which folks strategy these lists.
Find out how to make your 23 for 2023 record:
- Use the quantity 23 in a artistic manner, akin to “Attempt 23 new recipes” or as Elizabeth notes, “Learn 23 novels”
- Divide the record into classes, akin to “Household,” “Profession,” “Journey” “Enjoyable”
- Construct the whole record round a single essential intention, akin to “Transfer” or “Swap careers”
- Construct the whole record your one-word theme—as an example, “Earn” or “Fewer”
- It’s useful to be concrete, and body objects as actions, not outcomes—not “Be taught Italian” however “Memorize 5 new phrases day by day” or “Use Duolingo day by day”
- Think about whether or not you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Insurgent—take the free “Four Tendencies” personality quiz
- Create a compelling visible show of your record
- Evaluate your record continuously—I intention to evaluation my record on the twenty third of each month
- Think about making a listing of solely fulfilling objects! Particularly you Obligers!
- Share a listing with another person, to work on goals collectively
- Take note of vocabulary—the identical exercise may be far more interesting, or not, relying on how we body it, the vocabulary we use.
Don’t fear about whether or not you’ll be capable to cross off all 23 objects. Neither Elizabeth nor I has ever managed to finish a complete record! However making this record assist us to be happier.
Wish to make record of your “23 for 2023?” Download the free PDF here. We like to see folks’s lists—it’s fascinating to see what folks do with their record—so should you’re so inclined, put up it to #23for23 on social media. We are able to all study from one another.
Elizabeth’s 23 for 2023 record:
One-word theme is SCALE.
- Hike Fryman Canyon 50 occasions—she’s going to trace within the Happier™ app
- Floss each night time
- Get again in her wedding ceremony rings
- Hike in Ojai with Sarah
- Make a journey with pals from highschool
- Get the proper small cross-body bag
- Use her packing cubes
- Learn 23 novels (this consists of audiobooks)
- In the course of the potential writers’ strike, define a novel
- Attempt pickleball
- Get her mah jong group going once more
- All the time carry Kleenex
- Get two physique scans
- Stroll to Malibu
- End her will with Adam
- Go outside 23 minutes a day—after all!
- Host a household celebration
- Construct up Daisy’s and Nacho’s stamina to allow them to go on hikes
- Improve her residence workplace
- Throw out gross t-shirts—each laborious and straightforward to do
- Get a brand new gown
- Go away for an evening with pals
- Do Season Three of Fantasy Island—an end result, however she’s going to manifest it
Gretchen’s 23 for 2023 record:
One-word theme is WAVE.
- Visit the Met every day
- Go exterior 23 in 23
- Compensate for my picture albums
- 30 straight days of tradition
- Deal with one troublesome electronic mail per day
- Make standing haircut appointments
- Purchase new underwear
- Have a summer time of re-reading
- Be extra systematic about connecting with pals and colleagues
- Purchase airplane denims
- Assist Eleanor get a driver’s license and Elizabeth to make a will
- Work out the path for my subsequent writing mission
- Get pleasure from 23 seconds of sensory delight every day
- Put on make-up day by day
- Work on my Muse Machine
- Create a time capsule for 2023—we talked about this concept in episode 401
- Ask folks for the names of journalists who is likely to be fascinated by my e book Life in Five Senses
- Begin a brand new group
- As soon as a month, choose a New York Metropolis place I’ve by no means visited, and go there
- Embrace this yr of household transition
- Evaluate this record on the twenty third of every month
- Add a “My Thirty Minutes” to my calendar every workday (and work out a catchy title for this time)
- Watch an incredible TV present
Elizabeth and I’ve made these lists for a number of years, and annually, we’re so pleased we did it. It’s a really clarifying and artistic train.
Additionally, it’s a enjoyable train to do with different folks. Elizabeth and I’ve a good time speaking about our lists collectively; sharing lists is a good way to spark dialog about pursuits, values, and goals. Attempt doing it with pals, household, or co-workers. You might discover objects that you just’d prefer to sort out collectively.
Have you ever discovered any contemporary methods to articulate and work in direction of your goals? Making a New 12 months’s decision isn’t the one manner!