Favourite Things WINNER and 2015 New Year, New Habits...

It was so fabulous having you all along for the 2014 Favourite Things post, and stopping by your blogs for a peek at your fantastic 2014 highlights, you are all winners in my book! 

I did promise there may be a little candy, so without further ado, Ms. Random, aka DD has chosen #12 Jessi Fogan One Crafty Mama to receive a little something, if you can let me know your address details Jessi!

Whilst I didn't make any specific New Year Resolutions as such, I found this fabulous post by seachange.zenhabits.net, and I thought I'd re-post it here, with an update on my own new habits from 2014 and for 2015! I hope you can join in with your own new habits!!!

5 Ideas to Create an Amazing 2015

With every new year, comes renewed optimism.

And while I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions that you’re just going to toss aside when things get busy, I am a fan of creating new habits.

There isn’t any magic involved — you have to do the hard work. But if you’re committed to gradual change, you can change your habits completely over time.

If you’re ready for an awesome 2015, here are some ideas to help you get there.

Ideas for an Awesome 2015

If you follow these ideas for the next year, I think you’ll create something truly amazing:

1. Create habits, not goals or resolutions. Resolutions are like wishful thinking, that fade away inevitably as the year’s newness wears off. Goals are great, but it’s hard to juggle 5-10 new goals when you have a lot of other things always going on. Instead, focus on one new habit at a time, and give it your full attention, until it becomes automatic. Then do another new habit. After a year, you could have 12 new habits, and you’ll be a lot closer to any goals you might have wanted to reach.
2. Be all in. Most people fail at their resolutions because they write them down, start taking action, and then let themselves quit when things get hard. But what if you committed to doing the habit of meditation in January, or you’d have to give up your favorite food for a year? What if you had to pay $10,000 if you missed two straight days of meditation? Would you stick to the habit then? Of course you would — because you’d be fully committed. Find a way to be all in, and you’ll make your habits stick.
3. Focus on weekly adaptations. Most people try to focus on something that will take a year to achieve, but you lose motivation, and what if things change during that year? Instead, focus on one week at a time. That’s a doable chunk of time — you can do a week at a time, but you can’t really do a year at a time. And each week, see how you can adapt what you’re doing so that your method gets better and better over time. Review how you did, find the obstacles, and plan around them for the next week.
4. Find your crew. You can do great things on your own, but you’re much more likely to get them done if you have a group of friends who are holding you accountable, and who you’re holding accountable too. Hold each others’ feet to the fire. Root each other on. Hold regular meetings to make sure everyone is staying on track, and don’t let your crew fall off track.
5. Fill your year with curiosity and a learning stance. Many people get discouraged if they fall off their goals or habits, but that’s because they have an all-or-nothing mindset. They see failure as evidence that they can’t do it. Far from it: failure is evidence that things need adjusting. It’s a way to learn, so that you can get better. Be curious about what will work for you, about what this new habit will be like (instead of having a preconceived idea), and about what happens when you make adjustments. See all your successes and failures as learning, not a sign that you are good or not good. With this flexible mindset, you’ll be able to weather out any kinds of disruptions, missteps, obstacles or changes.

I too, am a fan of creating new habits...

In the middle of last year, the elevators at my work started playing up - so I took that as a sign to start taking the stairs! My first new habit. 

Then, I decided to change from sugar to alternate sweeteners in my coffee, but after deciding they all ruined the taste of my coffee, I gave up on sweeteners in my coffee altogether. My second new habit.

I joined up Michelle Bridges 12WBT program, and having a dodgy knee, decided to focus on healthy eating, rather than the exercise part of the plan. It helped immensely when I read that losing weight was 80% about food and 20% about exercise, so I thought I'd give it a try. It also makes such a huge difference being organised, with your weekly tailored recipes and shopping list in advance! My third new habit.

Whilst I did have a few hiccups along the road, I saw them as slight detours along the way to achieving change, rather than failures. My initial motivation was to attend my high school reunion. Although I must admit, a high fasting sugar reading on my last health check is now added motivation, especially when diabetes is in my family, so that is my all in. 

Having achieved my first weight loss goal over the past six months (15 kilos and counting!), I am aiming to develop the habit of a more active lifestyle in 2015. I have joined the gym and have scheduled to attend at least twice a week, and my great friend, sister and daughter are all joining me in this pursuit, so I have found my crew!!!

What will your next new habit be...