Reviewing 2013-Countdown Challenge with Personal Excellence

"We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience. ~ John Dewey"

Hi there and Happy New Year! I hope you recall the 2013-Countdown Challenge which I announced in mid-December? It was run in personalexcellence.co by experienced blogger Celestine Chua.

The Challenge has already ended and as thus this review post but January is still just starting out so, if you wish to, you still have a chance to answer the questions starting today!

If you're interested go HERE and answer one question daily in the privacy of your journal. I'd recommend writing your answers in a website called 750words which works wonderfully for journalism and such.

Moving on I will share my personal experience on the 2013-Countdown Challenge:

Why I decided to participate in the 2013-Countdown Challenge

I decided to participate in the 2013-Countdown Challenge because the year was ending and a Challenge based on answering questions that would help me reflect on my 2012 would be a great way to truly evaluate  how my year went by, recognize past grudges/achievements and simply let go...let go and move on to a better life in general! :)

Believe it or not, moving on in life and growing as a person has been one of my life-long dreams and I felt that the 2013-Countdown Challenge was the opportunity I was waiting for. As soon as I finished this challenge, 2013 would start and it was then that my life -the life of my dreams- would truly set foot with the help of the challenge's questions.

What struggles I had with the 2013- Countdown Challenge?

I struggled in the sense that, in some occasions, I would not answer questions out of laziness and the next day I would have to answer 2 questions in a row as to catch up.

How has it benefited my life so far?

The challenge has definitely benefited my life. Back in the December announcement I had mentioned that I would not regret participating in the 2013-Countdown Challenge and I was right! :)

1) I was able to truly re-experience month per month how my 2012 had been. In a matter of minutes I was able to see "my year run before my eyes".

2) I was able to identify my feelings towards the different things that happened in 2012, both good and bad.

3) Thanks to being able to calmly reflect on my feelings from 2012, I was able to internally resolve some past issues and let go of the excess baggage.

4) The questions guided me into planning out my resolutions for 2013 in a simple manner and truly start fresh and ready as soon as 2013's hit.

5) And last but not least, I was able to achieve my dream of setting the true first step of my life.

As a side note I'd like to say that the 2013- Countdown Challenge made me realize how much I truly love my life, how fortunate I am and that 2012 has truly been the best year in my entire life so far and that 2013 is just the beginning of something beautiful...:')

photo credit: ell brown via photopin cc

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How To Plan Out A Resolution For The New Year: And Stick To It

"People with clear, written goals accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them can ever imagine" ~Anonymous

Hey guys/gals! 2013 is knocking at our doorsteps! *Gasp* Time flies fast doesn't it? I don't know about you but I'm excited and pumped up here ;D! As a gesture of my excitement I will share 3 out of my 12 resolutions for 2013:

1- Apply the habit of waking up early each day

2-  Get my Driver's License and a car (Plus pass the College Board with high points)

3- Finish my first novel

I'll slash the resolutions as I finish them and I'll announce the edits later on. Moving on, as the title suggests I'm going to teach you how to plan out a resolution-- which is perhaps one of the hardest things to do.

The Importance of Living with Resolutions

Resolutions are important because they are the map that guide us into implementing our goals as a lifestyle. It's a basic plan, a starting point. It's common to view resolutions as something optional or as something to think about only during the festivities of New Year but that's erroneous.

Resolutions are meant to be your guide for the rest of the year. We will always be living inside a year so it really is a matter of writing those resolutions in New Year and applying them into our daily lives.

How to Sketch out a New Year Resolution

1) Write 12 Resolutions but start out the year with only 3. When you achieve those 3 resolutions, do 3 more. 

 The reason for this is because if you overload your schedule with 12 resolutions all at once-- trust me your mind will blow and you'll probably end up quitting or end up super stressed. As I always say keep it simple-- step by step is the way to go!

The simpler the better because that way we can dedicate more time to our resolutions and thus have a richer and happier process in accomplishing our resolutions. Since resolutions are meant as a lifestyle and not as an end goal we will lead happier lives overall as well.

2) Have a clear view of why you are motivated on achieving each resolution

It's crucial to have a clear and valid reason that motivates us for each resolution. Write down the reason for your motivations besides every single resolution. It's easy to loose our way or to feel that impulse of giving up. That's why motivation is important-- it will refresh your mind on why you wanted this resolution in the first place and keep you on track.

3) Be totally honest and listen to your heart

Honesty is gold and the heart doesn't lie. Listen to your heart and choose resolutions that you truly wish to accomplish in your current state. The purpose of a resolution is to change an aspect in your life for the positive. It would ruin the point if you were to choose resolutions for the sake of what others want rather than what you want.

4) Keep reminders of your resolution list in places you are sure to read them daily

 This can perhaps be, the most important step to accomplish your resolutions. Life can be messy at times. With the technology and issues that come upon us each day it's no wonder most of us abandon (or rather forget) about our resolutions as early as the first week. That's just scary!

No matter how good of a memory you think you have, the truth is that if you don't note down your goals anywhere-- you will forget about them and if you forget about your resolutions, then you will loose sight of what is it that you wanted in the first place. That's why it's important to remind yourself of your resolution list every single day.

I'm speaking about keeping notes of your list in places you know you will see each day without making an effort (Preferably during mornings hours). For example: your wallet, the mirror, the fridge, the toilet, your billboard, your diary, your laptop, e-mail reminders/text/phone reminders, etc.

Personally I like automatic cell phone reminder.s It rings automatically reminding me I even have resolutions. But to stay on the safe side it's best to have minimum 5 reminder sources about your resolutions gathered around places you go to on a daily basis naturally.

5) Keep it Simple. One resolution at a time

As I had already mentioned previously in this article-- keep it simple. Yes, you do in fact start the year with 3 resolutions (if that's the number you chose of course) but do only one of this 3 resolutions at a time. That's why #1 suggests you write only 10-12 resolutions. That way you could concentrate on 1 each month if it applies for the rest of resolutions you choose.

6) Review your resolutions in July (mid-year) or the last days of the months

Like any other goal system it's important to review the list midway, or if you're a fast thinker like me, once a month would do. We are dynamic beings. It's normal to change. Sometimes resolutions that resounded with our inner selves in January don't resound with us anymore by July. That's why it's important to follow your heart.

Happy New Year! :)

photo credit: jacilluch via photopin cc

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Join Me in the 2013-Countdown Challenge with Personal Excellence!!

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey there! It's been a while since I've posted some articles. I'm so sorry. It was my last school days so imagine the blast of tests and homework. Moving on it's winter vacation and I'm ready to write more than ever! :)

I'm posting this short notice to let you know there will be yet another wonderful challenge from Personal Excellence called "2013-Countdown Challenge" by experienced blogger Celestine Chua. It's a challenge in which Celestine Chua will be posting self-reflecting questions each day from Wednesday, December 19 to Monday, December 31.

 The questions will help you reflect in your 2012 and move on to 2013. How well you did, in which areas you failed, how could you had improved, yada, yada. 

 I recommend you join! It's a really fun and enriching experience! If you participate 100% I guarantee you won't regret it! I know I never have regretted my participation in any challenges run in Personal Excellence. ;)

Contrary to the 14 Day-Kindness Challenge I won't be actively sharing my experience in Basked in Sunshine because I feel that since it's a challenge based in answering personal questions rather than actions I do each day-- my experience in the challenge would be more enriching if I keep my answers private but I'll post another notice by January in relation to the 2013-Countdown Challenge reviewing how the challenge has been for me.

So what do you think? You won't regret it!! Feel free to join me by BY CLICKING HERE and leave a comment in Personal Excellence to sign up. What are you waiting for? This might be your only chance! Round-up your 2012 starting today!! :)

PS: I am not being paid or promoted in any manner by writing this post but I wish to write it anyways out of my own will in order to help you:D.

photo credit: Insomnia PHT via photopin cc

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