Spring Time Resolutions -A Great Question (and Idea) from my Kid Life Coach

By Erika Fehrenbach

Have you ever noticed that kids are the best life coaches? Seriously, if you have ever spent a few minutes of quality time with a kid, you probably have noticed not only their unfiltered joy in the simplest things in life, like the pull-up box that is 2 year-old Lucy’s favorite thing in the whole wide world, but also their spot on questioning and assessment of life. The latest great question, which in turn was the catalyst to spark a great idea, came from my 9 year-old and life coach, Liam. 

I’m honestly not sure how we got on the topic of goals and resolutions, but there we were. Chatting about “grown-up” topics when Liam, cutting through the fluff like only a kid can, asked, “Why are resolutions only in January?”. The only answer I could come up with was the obvious, that New Year’s resolutions are for when you are starting over in a new year, a fresh start. Liam’s reply, “Well, I think you should have Spring Resolutions, too, since the season starts over.”

All I could say was, I agree, buddy, I agree. And, was thinking, dang! How smart!

Seriously, he’s onto something here, DreamChaser! The first day of spring is right around the corner, March 20. Now, whether or not spring weather will return to the Midwest and give winter the boot, that is to be determined! (Sorry, Jackie!) This means we are about a quarter of the way through 2021 already...the first quarter is almost over! 

This is the perfect time to check in on your progress with a good ole’ honest assessment! Dust off those New Year’s resolutions and goals. Take a look at how you are doing, and, more importantly, where you went astray. Remember, it’s those failures that give us the best lessons and course corrections. For goals you have met, time to push further. For goals you have missed, what roadblocks did you hit? Then, use this information to formulate a new plan. And, with spring on the horizon, does this bring new goals to mind that you didn’t think of in December?

Next, write out your Spring Resolutions. Remember, until you write out your goal, it is merely an idea in your head. Be specific, vague goals will yield vague results, include the elements of how much and by when. An additional piece to making your goals specific is to make sure they are measurable so you know that you have achieved the goal. Roughly outline a plan of action, those steps to get you from where you are, your starting point, to where you want to be, your goal. Guess what’s next? The most important step...just begin. Messy, imperfect action is better than no action! Any plan will need to be revised so just start!

Protip! If you have a BIG goal like losing 50 pounds or writing a novel or launching your business, let’s chunk it down. What can you do towards that goal in 3 months? That’s the goal you write down and make an action plan for. Remember the Slight Edge idea? Those small actions everyday compound over time, which will get you to that BIG goal. Does it really matter how fast you get there? Nope. Smaller, more achievable goals get you the wins and confidence that you can take it to the end. 

Spring Resolutions! Brilliant, Liam, brilliant. But, I’m going to take it one step further. Turns out, lol, every 3 months is the beginning of the next season, which correlates with the next quarter of the year. I’m challenging you to adopt Seasonal Resolutions as a way to keep you on track for getting after that life you dream of, bringing those dreams into reality one goal achieved at a time. Set an alarm in your phone for Summer Resolutions on 6/20 and Autumn Resolutions on 9/22. Let’s do this, DreamChaser!

Shine on!
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