Feliz Enero Rocky Point and the start of a NEW YEAR!!! December sure was a good time and as usual a lot of events going on. It was fantastic celebrating my dear friend Amanda’s (Kamanda) birthday…..keep laughing your way through life, you bring some much joy to those lucky to be around you. My gang and I went over to see the Rocky Point Bartender’s competition on the Malecon in December as well. It was great to see so many people that turned out to cheer on their favorite bartenders. I think I may have blushed a bit as I am pretty sure I knew almost all of the contestants 😊! Congratulations to everyone that participated and to all of those that turned out to support them. My new pad continues to make improvements, and I look forward to working with my friend Cathy Pea to really “buff” it out with some cool additions like a fireplace, lighted artwork and of course a beverage station……aka a bar. Before I move on…….special shout out to Brophy College Prep Swim & Dive (I hear they have a pretty cool coach 😊)……we won Arizona High School state championships again this year!!!!
So many of us, including me, like to look at the new year as a chance for a fresh start and to make things healthier, easier, less stressful, happier and more exuberant. So…….. I thought I would put together a list of things we can all take a whack at to help make 2025 our best year yet 😊!!!
- Make your goal achievable so you can stick with it. For instance, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds in 2025, I think a realistic goal would be to drop 20 pounds in the first 2-3 months. It’s also a good idea to set up a reward system for yourself, for instance when I lose 15 pounds in 2 months, I am going to buy a new pair of jeans.
- Turn your weaknesses into strengths……all you need to do is to identify what you need to improve and work at it. Let’s say that you want to become a strong swimmer and can barely make it across the pool once. A good plan would be to identify a coach who you can work with for a few sessions and then set a goal. This week, I am going to do 2 laps and so on until you build up to your goal.
- Focus on one small goal at a time while working toward your bigger goal. Often, we become disengaged with our goal because the end seems so far out. So, if your goal is to remodel your home, start with a bathroom and accomplish it. Then, move onto the next room. Taking on “the house” can become monumental. I actually know some people who have been remodeling their home for 15 years. Possibly they are trying to do it all at once and become overwhelmed?
- Remembering that change is a process. I had a goal to start working out a bit more this past year. I was already going 4-5 times a week, but I wasn’t seeing the results I would have liked. So, I joined a 2nd gym to focus more on weight training and walked in with a bright attitude. By teaming the new gym up with the old one, I am on my way to my goals.
- Staying positive throughout the process. Don’t doubt yourself……..you never know what you are capable of when you dive all in. Acknowledge the little doubting voices in your mind and say “ I hear you but I have a new plan and just because it didn’t work in the past, doesn’t mean I cannot achieve it this time”. The mind is a very powerful tool and by staying positive and keeping a sunny disposition, the world is your oyster! Dive right in!
- Learn and adapt……. encountering a setback is one of the most common reasons why people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. If you suddenly move into a bad habit from the past obstructing your goal, don’t view it as a failure. The path to your goal is not always direct and can be a bit scrambled…..kind of like my gang of friends walking around on a Friday night 😊!
- Go to sleep earlier. This is a huge one. It is amazing how much better we feel with proper sleep. Our mind is fresh, our mood is positive, our goals are sharp in our heads. Personally, I noticed I was a bit sluggish and wasn’t reaching some of my goals. I started getting more sleep…even as little as 30-60 minutes a day and it is amazing how much better I feel, and my days seem so much more achievable and any anxiety seems to have disappeared.
- Ahhh, my favorite…….plan a trip to somewhere new. I choose at least 3 new countries a year that I want to go to and follow through. It is amazing to meet new friends, new cultures, languages and customs. In Greece this summer, my family and I met friends from Australia. This month we are going to Sydney and have plans to meet up with them once again. It really is a small world and reaching out with kindness helps establish friendships around the globe.
- Volunteering….. I love to get involved and help others in need. First, it takes the focus off of us which can be a relief. You get to see firsthand the efforts you have made and the results coming from your efforts. This truly allows us to feel more worthy and suddenly our personal goals become more attainable. Positivity=Success!!!
- Start stretching more……… many times we jump right into something especially at the gym. By stretching longer before and after a workout, you actually help prepare your muscles and then help to heal them as well. There are workouts that are just stretching which shows you how important is to S T R E T C H!
- Pay more attention to your savings. Even with prices on the rise lately, it is amazing the savings you can achieve. I for one, am not the best cook but am learning….even taking cooking classes. The efforts pay off as eating out too often is expensive and is an easy way to help put some $ in your savings account. My friends and I like to pool our food items together and create meals during the week. It makes it more fun than trying to figure it out all alone and you get to see how others make something which you can use in the future. Take up some part time work that is easy and fun for you such as a part time dog walker. They are always in need and is a great source of extra income and exercise for you……..2 pajaros with one roca! Then, be sure to take at least half of the extra money you make and put it into a savings account and watch your dollars grow. There are some banks offering almost 5% interest per month on your money!
- Make the call, not the text. Too often today, we find it easier just to text someone. If you really listen to someone after you have reached out to them with a phone call, you can be so much more impactful. Remember to thank your family and friends for loving you……we are not always the pick of the litter 😊. Gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation will go a long way…….so let them know what they mean to you!
So, cheers to an amazing 2025 and hopefully some of these tips can help you achieve your dreams this year. I hope to see you at the beach this year!!!! ADIOS AMIGOS
