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Do You Know Your “One Thing” For 2020?

Welcome to another More Than You Are newsletter.

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My sense is that we all have a nagging, invisible list of things we need to stop or start, yet simply haven’t mustered the strength (or motivation) to actually follow through with our promptings.

Such is human nature.

We “intend” to do it, but we don’t.

This is actually called “The Law of Diminishing Intent”—and it’s real.

We get inspired with an idea, can’t wait to implement it, are sure we’re going to do it, but at the first opportunity we delay it for some reason and say, “I will tomorrow.” But for whatever reason, it doesn’t happen tomorrow.

Or the next day.

Eventually, it becomes so much of an afterthought we forget we were ever inspired with the idea in the first place.

Been there?

The Reflections of a New Year Ahead

At the end of each year, if you’re like me, you may find yourself reflecting on where you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go next.

You’re also likely to be contemplating New Year’s Resolutions.

Personally, I have a simple habit that has worked well for me over the years and I’ve utilized it this week as well. It goes like this:

At the beginning of December, after reflection on the year gone by, I set at least one New Year’s Resolution. The moment that it is set, and I’m sure of it, I start it that moment, and do NOT wait until January 1st.

Why?

Simple—The Law of Diminishing Intent.

So this year is no different. I have a clear “one thing” I want to achieve for this coming year, and although it may not be a “big” deal to most people, it’s a prompting I’ve been feeling as of late, and I now know it’s time to follow it, which is this:

It’s time I took back the first hour of my day.

Yep, that’s it.

You see, I don’t own and therefore dictate the first hour of my day.

My phone does.

I know it’s robbing my thoughts.

It’s robbing my ideas.

My energy.

Essentially, it’s stealing my will to choose.

Extreme you say?

Turns out that a whole bunch of smart scientists, psychologists, and other professionals are now saying the same thing.

But, to be honest, I don’t need them to tell me the obvious.

I can see it, I can feel it, and I’m self-aware enough to know that it’s a problem.

So last night I blew off the old alarm clock and left the phone in the other room.

And when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I didn’t notice the blinking light on my phone to tell me I had messages.

And when I got up this morning to finish writing this piece, I didn’t get lost in email and other notifications.

Taking Back My Day

So that’s my “One Thing” for 2020.

I’m taking back the first hour of my day.

Notice I’m not saying my one thing is “I’m leaving my cell phone in another room.”

Why?

Because the focus of a great New Year’s Resolution should be on the outcome, not the actual process or act itself.

So yeah, I want to take back the first hour of my day.

And by doing this, I believe there will be a domino effect that will benefit other areas of my life.

When this occurs, and it always does, you’ll be the first to hear about it.

Such is the beauty of telling others what you’re committed to—you’re more likely to actually get it done.

So here is my question (maybe even a little challenge) for you:

What’s your “One Thing” for 2020?

If you’d like, hit “reply” and let me know. My sense is your gut has already started telling you what it should be, and maybe by verbalizing it to another, the Law of Diminishing Intent won’t win this coming year ;-)

To an amazing close to 2019 and a tremendous year ahead,

PS: I’d suggest not choosing more than one “One Thing.” Why? As we’ve all learned, if we set too many goals, or have too much attention in other areas, then we very likely will do less, not more. So for now, I’d suggest focusing in on just one area or thing in your life you truly want to change…

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