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Setting goals for 2021
2020 has been without a doubt, the most eventful year in our lifetimes. As the year comes to an end, you might wonder if setting goals for 2021 makes sense at all. As always, it depends. SMART Goals I’m sure you’ve heard about SMART goals before. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. For example, let’s say you have put on 30 kg in the past 5 years. “Losing weight” is not an example of a SMART goal. It is relevant but way too generic and not time-bound. Hence, it is difficult to measure and perhaps unachievable. A better wording would be “lose 10 kg by the…
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20 things to try in 2020
This is a different spin on new year’s resolutions, inspired by Gretchen Rubin. If you are keen on testing new stuff and/or building new healthy habits in the new year, here is a list of 20 things to try in 2020. Food and nutrition Eat a new fruit, vegetable, legume, nut or seed every month. Eat with friends or family at least 3 meals per week. Cook a meal at least once a week. Try a new cuisine. If you eat meat, buy it from an ethical butcher such as Feather and Bone or The Ethical Farmers. If you drink, do Dry July or Ocsober. If you don’t, give up…
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End of Year Review 2018
This is my second instalment of the end of year review (see last year’s here). I took the idea from Katy Bowman, who has been doing a version of this review (geared toward movement) in her podcast (find this year’s here and last year’s here). The questionnaire has been adapted from Robin Blanc Mascari‘s original questions. Completing and Remembering The Previous Year What was your biggest triumph this past year?To get invited to do the Krav Maga instructors course What was the smartest decision you made this past year?To stay in Sydney even though it meant a long-distance relationship What one word best sums up and describes this past years…
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New Year resolutions and other goal-setting strategies
January 1st is the date most people choose for starting (or re-starting) new habits. Many people set New Year resolutions but, sadly, not many follow through. Does this mean New Year resolutions are bad? It depends. Know yourself The reason why resolutions work great for some people for not for others is that we are all different. More precisely, we respond differently to outer and inner expectations, according to the amazing framework developed by Gretchen Rubin. She has categorised people into four tendencies, of which upholders are the most likely to set and meet New Year resolutions. Obligers may meet them if they are accountable to someone other than themselves.…
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2017 End of Year Review
Katy Bowman and her co-host Dani Hemmat have been doing a Health and Movement Year-end Review for the past few years (you can listen to the 2017 edition here). The questionnaire has been adapted from Robin Blanc Mascari‘s original questions, which I have copied and answered below. I don’t have the habit of journaling but I can see how this can be a useful exercise to give life a sense of direction, particularly when the near future looks uncertain or chaotic. If it proves to be useful (I think it will), this will become an annual tradition for me. Completing and Remembering The Previous Year What was your biggest triumph…
