Summary

The article encourages readers to embrace self-improvement and increased productivity in the new year by "kicking their own rear" and abandoning counterproductive habits.

Abstract

The author of the article uses humor and personal anecdotes to motivate readers to take action towards self-improvement as the new year approaches. Drawing from her mother's colorful expression, "I ought to kick your arse up around your ears," the author emphasizes the importance of self-accountability and the need to overcome procrastination, negative self-talk, complaining, blaming others, and wishful thinking without effort. The article serves as a call to action for readers to make the most of the upcoming year by adopting a proactive mindset and taking realistic steps towards their goals.

Opinions

The author acknowledges her own stubbornness and the tendency to resist advice, recognizing that this has led to less-than-ideal outcomes.
She advocates for a self-administered "kick in the rear" as a method of self-motivation and improvement.
The article suggests that the end of the year is an opportune time to reflect on and alter personal habits for the better.
It criticizes the acceptance of procrastination, suggesting that it is a lazy and unimaginative approach to life's tasks.
The author believes that negative self-narratives can be detrimental to one's life force and should be replaced with positive action.
Complaining is seen as a waste of time that neither benefits the complainer nor interests those who listen.
The author dismisses the "blame game" as an excuse to avoid personal responsibility.
She emphasizes that dreams and wishes require personal effort and action to be realized, not just passive hoping.
The article encourages readers to take charge of their lives and create their own magic, rather than waiting for external solutions.

Productivity, Self Improvement

Who Needs a Kick in The Rear For The New Year?

Hey, it’s better than kicking oneself later

Who needs a kick in the pants for the new year? — Image created by the author with Canva Design

This is one of those reads that calls for laughter all while writing, so that is exactly what I aim to do.

Yesterday’s child rolled in stitches hearing one of her dear Mum’s popular sayings whenever she landed herself in hot water.

“I ought to kick your arse up around your ears!”

Of course, I couldn’t laugh out loud then but I busted a gut for sure when I got sent to my bedroom after pulling one of my many immature teenage stunts.

Flash forward, and today Mum’s words often tap me on the shoulder whenever I find myself in need of a swift kick in the pants.

These instances often entail particular areas that I can improve on. Specifically, productivity, life hacks, and self-improvement.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a bit stubborn and have often frowned upon advice that otherwise would have done me a world of good if only I had put aside my ego, emotions, and the all too-rebellious teenager still taking up residence in my modern self. Not a good look for a fifty-two-year-old, and I confess: this behavior has often led me astray warranting a much-needed, “I told you so,” later by parents, siblings, my children, and some close pals.

Sigh…

So, what’s a girl to do?

Whine and complain — NO!

Throw a tantrum — NOPE!

Keep going with the same mindset — DEFINITELY NOT!

No, no, no; Instead, I am implementing a self-kick in the rear as 2023 closes and 2024 opens her doors.

Two weeks and counting folks…

Who else is going all in? Who else needs a kick in the rear for the new year to set the course for 2024 highlighted by better habits, an altered point of view, and perspectives set to win the race in life instead of falling short because of particular quirks that need good riddance?

No need to raise your hands, just line up virtually, and together we push forward because no pain equals no gain, right?

Kick these habits aside for better productivity

Donkey (another type of arse) offers to help kick bad practices — Image created by the author with Canva Design

Yes, yes, all work and no play never makes Johnny a happy boy, but if one wishes more free time to play then they have to put in the work.

Are you with me?

Great!

Kick aside these habits now

procrastination
signing your own death certificate
complaining
blaming others for your problems
hoping and wishing without effort

Now let’s dig deeper

procrastination — “I will do it tomorrow” doesn’t work anymore. Putting off to tomorrow what you can do today is lazy, unimaginative, and no longer acceptable. Well, it never really was acceptable; that’s a false narrative you told yourself so you wouldn't have to deal with reality.

Guess what?

Now you have to deal with it, all of whatever IT is!

signing your own death certificate — A not-so-lovely phrase, I know, but I bet it got your attention! Good. You sign your own death certificate each time you put yourself down, say I can’t, or make excuses for what you should already be doing with your life. In a nutshell, your negative self-narrative is depleting your life force.

So just knock it off already and grab onto the life that is living inside of you. Each day you awaken is another opportunity to make a difference, no matter how irrelevant it may first appear.

complaining — Wasting time complaining? Well, stop. Humming and hawing about what should have, would have, or could have been, does absolutely nothing for you, and guess what? No one cares to hear about it either.

If you have the time to complain, you have the time to take action!

blaming others for your problems — “If only so and so didn’t do that, say that, or act like that,” then my life would be better. The blame game is tired, friend, and just another excuse to avoid responsibility for self.

Need help? Fantastic! Then get it, don’t be ashamed. But don’t disguise your situation by looking for another person to be the fall guy.

hoping and wishing without effort — Make a wish upon a star, heck wish on two if you like, but don’t think for a second the buck stops there. Dreams and wishes are absolutely necessary yet go nowhere fast without a helping hand — yours!

So get off your duff and start researching and drafting ideas. Find doable small steps that involve a realistic timeframe. Rubbing a magic lantern only works on Disney, so plan on participating and creating magic yourself.

I hope my Mum’s words from many moons ago provide the inspiration you need to prepare for a productive new year.

Although spoken during moments of necessary chastising, I offer her phrase to you today in a half-humorous, half-exaggerated attempt to gain your attention.

Sometimes it takes stand-out phrases or cooky ones for that matter to prompt a change in one's inner dialogue.

Unashamed me gifts to you today an ear whisper, or maybe an earful, 😁😁😁 that hopefully will straighten your posture and force you to buckle down in 2024.

So, go ahead, applause if you are messing up now because the countdown is on, and in less than fourteen days there will be no more showing your arse.

Unless of course, you want me to kick it!

Hey, it sure beats kicking oneself a year later when things go wrong and you look back wondering why!

Thanks for reading!