19 Things To Quit To Become A Better You

Since this is my first blog post, and it is the first week of the New Year, its only right that the post is New Year related. With that being said, I did not want to opt for the cliche 2019 New Year’s resolutions ‘New Year – New Me” post. We’ve heard it all a thousand times before and the reality is New Year’s resolutions barely last past the New Year!

While I may not have set New Year’s resolutions for 2019, I have been self-reflective these past few months, and as difficult as it is, to be honest with myself I knew it was something that I couldn’t continue to avoid. In order to become a better version of myself in 2019, I’ve compiled a list of 19 things I’ll quit in 2019. Some will be easier than others to achieve but living life on purpose is my 2019 mantra.

1. Overthinking things

You would be shocked at how many hours I spent deliberating on whether to use my name as my website address. I’d played out the craziest worst-case scenarios in my head. Learn to trust your instinct.

2. Worrying about other people’s opinions of you

For years I’ve refrained from adding my opinions on Facebook posts I forward on because I’m cautious of what people will think or how they’ll receive what I have to say. People will have an opinion of you regardless of whether you speak your mind or not so set yourself free and be true to yourself.

3. Self-limiting beliefs

Self-image is so important, it doesn’t matter how great people say you are, you’ll never reach your full God-given potential until you realise how great you are. I am great, not because of me, but because of Christ in me! Can I get an AMEN.

4. Listening to the lies of the enemy

I can, and will do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Stop listening to that voice in your head telling you, you can’t do this and you can’t be that, who says so? The people that you’re watching achieve greatness in life do not have two heads! Stop watching and start doing and you’ll surprise yourself at what you’re able to achieve.

I was reluctant to start my blog for this very reason. Once I played out all the worst case scenarios in my head I realised it’s not actually that bad. People will laugh at me, judge me, talk about me – so what? I’ll still be alive and my family will still love me and that’s all that matters.

6. Fearing success

They say money doesn’t change you, it reveals you – I don’t want it to reveal a monster that I didn’t even know was there. Don’t allow the fear of the unknown to rob you of reaching your full potential.

7. Hiding your light

I’m a Christian – I have been for nearly a decade, yet I still shy away from sharing my faith with other people – I think it goes back to number 2 above (Worrying about other people’s opinions).

8. Being comfortable

I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Who knows, maybe I’ll jump out of a plane before the end of the year! There is no growth in comfort, step out of your comfort zone and you’ll surprise yourself at what you’re able to achieve.

9. Putting people on a pedestal

At work I suffered from Impostor syndrome (Google it). I hadn’t identified it until my manager at work suggested I sign up for a course HR were running! No matter how high up the corporate ladder someone is, or how famous and wealthy they are, we are all the same – they too bleed when they get a cut!

10. Being selfish

The way I’m overcoming this is by loving people more, giving more, listening more and having an attitude of gratitude.

11. Wasting time

I binge watched the Netflix series Greenleaf in less than one week. There were three seasons, over 12 episodes – each over 45 minutes long – you do the math’s – that’s a lot of time wasted! Planning your day down to the hour will help you ensure you’re getting the most out of your day.

12. Being indecisive

It can take me an hour just to decide what to wear on an evening out – I’ll easily try on 10 different outfits! Simplifying the decisions about the small insignificant things like what to eat or wear will give you room to focus on the more important decisions that need to be made, that’s why Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook is always wearing a grey t-shirt!

I’m OK with little tasks or things that I enjoy but complex or boring tasks like accounting and book-keeping take me a while to get round to.

14. Being lazy

Can I let you in on a secret? I’m not your stereotypical female. I do not enjoy cooking or cleaning. However I’ve grown to realise that laziness in one area of life will be reflected in ALL areas of life.

15. Comparing yourself to other people

I saw a quote today that said ‘stop keeping up with the Jones’, they’re broke’. There’s no point comparing my reality to someone else’s highlight reel.

16. Gossip

The amount of time that can never be regained I’ve given to this sin is crazy! There’s a saying that goes; ‘If they gossip to you, they will gossip about you’ I know first hand that this statement is true. In this New Year 2019, say NO to gossip.

17. Wasting money

I sometimes convince myself that my wants are needs. Self-deception at its finest. This year I’m getting on top of this by setting myself a few money saving challenges. If you’re interested in joining this challenge comment below and I can send you details and we can keep each other accountable.

18. Blaming other people

I do this to my poor husband a lot! Blaming him for not waking me up when I ignored my alarm clock. I blame him for not reminding me to collect my prescription from the pharmacy. It’s so much easier to point the finger at someone else than to take responsibility for yourself.

19. Making excuses

If you want to do it you’ll find a way, if not you’ll find an excuse. I’ve said this a million times to others but the truth is I make them a lot myself. Step out of your own way. The reality is making excuses will keep you in the same place and you’ll never move forward. The stars are never going to be perfectly aligned, what are you going to do about it?

Are any of the points I mentioned above areas you’re working on improving this year? It would be great to hear the things you’re quitting this year – we can keep each other accountable! Comment below and keep in touch.