Photo: © D. Paul Graham, “Words to Live By”, Southern Soul BBQ, St. Simons Island, 2022

“Monday 5 Things”™  ….. I Quit! …..

This week just flew by and we’re only one week into the New Year. I look forward to each New Year, but I don’t feel like I even found some time to catch my breath from the end of last year.  I have however been greatly amused at the plethora of memes that illustrate the folly, for most – this scribe included – of new year resolutions that are broken in a few days if not a few hours from midnight of last week. Now, I’m not a proponent of quitting, but realize that, if left unchecked, these mindsets of negativity can hold us back from our goals and dreams. Seven days into 2024, it seemed apropos that this morning’s M5T should consider quitting.

1. Quit trying to be perfect.

I’d rather make progress on something that is not ready, rather than to do nothing until it is perfect. We will never be spiritually or moral perfect on this side of eternity. Quitting perfectionism will actually cure your procrastination. There is no better day than today to begin focusing on starting and finishing what you can, and embracing your mistakes and imperfections that will always happen. Nike was on to something with “just do it”. What ‘it’ will you ‘do’ today?

2. Quit toxicity.

Seems easier said than done, but this has repercussions with food, emotions, health, spirituality, and people that need to be cleansed in our lives. And those are just the external toxins. What about toxic dialogues that you keep in your head? What discouraging thoughts and toxic habits are holding you back from any number or manner of things that are important to you? Take a break from environments and people that are toxic. Set boundaries, avoid being pulled into a rabbit hole of drama, and be resolute in holding on to your values. Seek out positive, optimistic, and uplifting environments and people. What type of toxicity will you take steps to cleanse today?

3. Quit thinking small.

Dreams that are big should include big thoughts and big actions. Be focused on your dream and be open and willing to step up where others don’t or wont. Defy your comfort zone. Start taking actions, big actions, today to live your life on your terms. Accept that failure goes hand in hand with big dreams. Some of the greatest things we enjoy and take advantage of in life today are here because someone refused to think small, declined to listen when others said it was impossible, and refused to give up on their vision or dream of what could be. What will you think bigger about today?

4. Quite making excuses.

There is no magic elixir to this. We are solely responsible for our actions, our strengths, our weaknesses, and our self-imposed limits. I am amazed at how creative we/I can be in making excuses to limit our experiences. Bad habits are always buried in a multitude of excuses. Excuses often have their roots in fear, pride, laziness, pig-headedness, misunderstanding, lies that you tell yourself, not knowing what to expect in any given situation, or [insert your personal reason here]. Excuses limit your personal growth, create stress and anxiety, and constrain your potential to living a fuller, richer life. We all make excuses, so the question is what will you do today about yours?

5. Quit being afraid.

We all experience fear at some point in our lives. Fear of failure, poverty, rejection, abandonment, trust, and love to name but a few. Such fears and doubt can be emotionally paralyzing and often lead to anxiety and despondency. Recognize your fears and the reasons behind them. Refuse to be driven by them. Pursue calm, faith, joy, and courage. Deciding to confront and overcome fears is one of the most powerful feelings and gifts that we can give ourselves. What fear will you confront today?

Here’s to the remaining 51 weeks of 2024 and to “quitting” those things that foster negativity in our lives.

 © 2024 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

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https://www.southmag.com/category/health-and-wellness/

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com