Before You Set a New Year’s Resolution, Do This

Before setting resolutions for 2022, you must resolve 2021

The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time. It feels like a reset button. A clean state.

But, we often forget to actually wipe the slate clean — we carry last year’s baggage into next year.

Here’s how to properly make amends with 2021 before moving on to 2022. Starting with gratitude.

Gratitude shapes your past, present, and future

This year, I fell in love with Dr. Andrew Huberman. Not his deep, raspy voice (ok, maybe a little), but his brilliant pairing of science and intuitive practices.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Huberman explains how gratitude heals trauma in two ways:

1. Re-shaping past trauma
2. Developing resilience to future trauma

We often look at a new year as a chance to change. “New year, new me.” But, without accepting the past, our brains don’t know how to interact with the future any differently.

You can do this with a proper gratitude practice.

The effects of gratitude ironically increase when receiving “thanks” as opposed to giving it. This is a phenomenon known as prefrontal activation. So, thank yourself for all of the wonderful things you did this year.

Here’s a real-world example, from my life:

“10 things I’m thankful I did this year..”

1. Travelled
2. Read lots of books
3. Stopped freelancing
4. Prioritized my health
5. Dared to be vulnerable
6. Joined Twitter (finally)
7. Wrote imperfect articles
8. Learned how to take time off
9. Stuck to a consistent writing practice
10. Followed my passions (instead of money)

Set your sights on 2022 — starting with stillness

Ryan Holiday, in his book “Stillness is the key”, outlines how slowing down is the key to moving forward.

Celebrate the wins you had in 2021, review the areas that need improvement, and then sit with them. I use a technique I call “unconscious AI” to make important decisions and plan for the future.

The process involves giving your conscious brain a query command and then allowing your unconscious mind to find an answer.

Here’s how it works.

Let’s say my query is, “Do I actually like freelancing?”

First, I sit quietly (eyes closed) and search for all the data I have on the topic. My fears, dreams, anxieties, and doubts. I collect them all— each with equal value.

Once every thought, image, and feeling has emerged, I corral them into an imaginary room and lock the door.

Once the door is locked I can no longer see or hear them.

Then, I instruct my mind to only allow developed, constructive answers to emerge. As I go about my day, the right answer (or series of answers) will emerge.

The trick is to properly soundproof the room, lock the door, and throw away the key. Any time you open the door, undeveloped answers can escape and cloud your judgment.

Give your gut all the information it needs to succeed. And then trust it.

Here’s what my unconscious mind helped me discover for next year:

“What I’m prioritizing in 2022…”

1. Travel
2. Breath-work
3. Recording audio
4. Daily journalling
5. Creating digital products
6. Sharing more personal stories
7. Learning to recharge efficiently
8. A consistent visualization practice
9. A healthy sleep diet — (an article to kick it off coming soon)
10. Connecting with more writers on Medium, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Resolutions – the original manifestation

“The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne became a worldwide bestseller, teaching people how to manifest their dreams using “the law of attraction.”

Although Rhonda’s packaging of this technique is relatively new, we’ve been manifesting our goals through New Year’s resolutions since the 17th century.

Speaking or writing down your goals is a way to make them real. Instead of imaginary thoughts swirling around your brain, they become tangible. Something you can see, hear, and hold.

This creates a sense of accountability and motivation. Manifestation is not magic but rather a habit to train your unconscious mind.

Summary and action steps:

1. Gratitude shapes the past, present, and future

2. Show gratitude for your actions in 2021

3. Sit with your thoughts (use Unconcious AI)

4. Set your sights on 2022

5. Start a habit of gratitude (right now)👇

What’s one thing you can thank yourself for this year? Leave it in the comments. 💬

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©Hudson Rennie