Stop Shoulding, Start Living

When was the last time you tried something new? Judging by our Instagram accounts and societal definition of what is good/right/smart/necessary you probably felt the need to make a shift on January 1. Dry January, vegan January, weight loss January, read 30 books January…whatever that may be.

Do you ever find yourself declaring resolutions and making goals without questioning why they matter to YOU?

What is important to you about going 30 days without carbs? What will that give you? Are you checking in with your body daily? Are you noticing your digestion, your energy, your heart, stomach or health? Or are you numbingly going through the motions so you can make it to the finish line January 31 and declare your triumph to the world?

The herd mentality (as so eloquently defined by Urban Dictionary as” the inability or refusal to listen to one's own instinct or 'gut feeling' but to instead follow the majority for fear of being wrong, ostracized or ridiculed”) can keep us safe but also can hold us back from living a life aligned with our authentic selves. We have to learn to trust ourselves. Internal validation versus external.

So next time that “should” goal pops up or that desire to be as skinny/fit/wealthy comes into play ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What is important about this goal?

  2. What will it give me?

  3. Does it align with my values or someone else’s?

Once you get to you your “why” and it feels right then proceed with joy and abandon! Phone a friend, sign up for a course, call in reinforcements.

For more on these principles and for group coaching and accountability please join me for my Resolutions Lite, Small Shifts = Big Changes course on January 22 & February 5. Two sessions dedicated to setting the framework for your goals, business or personal, and the accountability to make them happen.

For more info and to sign up please head over here.

xo Ali

Currently Reading: Think Like a Monk, Jay Shetty (A must-read for all humans seeking balance and purpose)

Current Mantra: “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.” Arianna Huffington

Currently Eating: Pasta with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta, NYT Recipes (I use gluten-free Rummo pasta- it’s ah-mazing!)

Ali Dunn