Make December Your Best Month
With Thanksgiving finished — and I hope you had a great one — we move into what for my entire life has been my favorite season of all.
No, not the “Black Friday through Cyber Monday” shopping season. Not even just Christmas. But instead, the entire final month of the year, as we head towards a brand spanking new one.
Why December is My Favorite Month of the Year
It’s only since I’ve been an adult that I’ve come to realize that New Year’s Eve and Day are my favorite days of the year. But, considering the total geek for goal-setting I’ve grown into, this isn’t surprising at all.
While I used to spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s reflecting on the past year and putting plans in place for the next, I’ve in recent years expanded those behaviors and that mindset to stretch through the entire month of December.
To me, it seems natural, primal, and in tune with nature — take time during the cold, barren months of winter to plan, so that when it comes time for massive action in the spring and throughout the summer, you’re ready.
Sure beats overeating and getting loopy at holiday parties (though I won’t say I never do those …).
Having treated the past few winters this way, a habit has been formed. And now when the chill enters the air, a sense of possibility is what comes to mind.
If you’re into New Year’s “resolutions” — and I’ll of course remind you that January 1 is arbitrary and that the “clean slate of a new year” effect is almost meaningless — I do believe you dramatically increase your chances of success by using December as a month to get a head start on those resolutions. If not by action, then at least by serious planning and anticipation, so that when the calendar changes, it brings with it a feeling of importance rather than the sense that this resolution will meet the same, silent end so many others have.
So that’s why I love this time of year. And while I’m not saying you need to go into a special goal-setting cave or shun the occasional overindulgence of the holidays (I watch almost no TV throughout the year, then suddenly become a fiend for awful ABC Family movies like Holiday in Handcuffs), I encourage you to start thinking about your goals and the changes you’d like to make now, instead of waiting until the afternoon of December 31st to start thinking about how next year will be different.
Happy New Month!
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I am compelled to say winter months are anything but barren! It’s a beautiful time of year, and a great time to remember to be joyful about running. It’s my time of year to run without structured training and I just love running through the snow.
And it’s a great time to form solid habits. For example, I need to do more strength training, so I’m spending the increased time I have making strength and conditioning work part of my normal routine, so when I get back to hard training I keep it up. Don’t wait to the spring for massive action – we can start now.
Thanks for this inspiration to appreciate the whole month of December, and start planning for a beautiful 2014.
I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and just started running (with inspiration from you, Rich Roll and Brendan Brazier). I’m so pumped to have your site as a reference for all things plant-based and athletic. THANK YOU & Happy Holidays : )
Great news! I can’t wait to get my NMA on…
The size I want in the women’s racerback tank has been out of stock for some time, however. I’ve been checking faithfully and no luck yet. Would you do a raincheck? And is there any way of being notified once stock is available again? Thanks in advance.