“Yes, I Can” is January’s theme and a great start to a new year!
Happy New Year, Readers!
You may have noticed a few advertisements telling you that this is the perfect time for a refresh…a time to refocus on your goals. Well, I couldn’t agree more!
However, before you can start working towards the dreams you see in your future, you need to have an inkling that you can achieve them. Spoilder alert: I think you and I both can!
I’ve also noticed that knowing (or at least being really sure) that you can achieve something is a good foundation for actually getting up and achieving it.
So how do you say, “yes, I can!” if you’ve never actually done the thing you’re trying to do?
Once upon a time, a friend challenged me to list two things for which I was thankful each day for two weeks. The objective was at the end of two weeks to feel more of a sense of joy than I had a the beginning because I would end up being able to clearly see many of the blessings in my life written on paper.
After a few days, I started adding “prouds” beside my “thankfuls.” I then defined the two: “Thankfuls”as beautiful gifts in my life.” “Prouds” as “positive things I do with the things I’m grateful for.”
Here are some examples (big and small):
| Thankfuls | Prouds |
| I have two healthy eyes | I made a healthy choice, wearing sunglasses on my car trip. |
| My Loving Grandparents | I took them to enjoy their favorite activity today, a visit to Dairy Queen. |
| Working for a company with opportunities | I worked hard and earned a promotion. |
I’ve realized I liked the cause and effect nature of these lists. At the end of two weeks, I wasn’t just passively thankful. I was motivated because I saw so many things I was proud of. If I could do all of these “prouds,”over the last two weeks, I could certainly do them again…and even add a few next week!
It was a lightbulb moment! I had evidence of things I can do, and I told myself I can do more!
I challenge you over the next two weeks to try listing your own thankfuls, followed by prouds. Grab a pretty journal, and see where you end up! I’ve seen beautiful gratitue journals at Anthroplogie or Novel in Memphis that should allow you to add a “Prouds” collumn. Honestly, my journals are lined notebooks. See what works best for you!
Let me and your other fellow readers know how this works for you, or better yet, share if you’ve discovered your own way to apply this to a specific goal.
Erica's Adventure 