It’s a new year and along with that comes some some soul searching into the things that we want to improve on for the future. We ponder on the things that we want to change and improve on in the coming year. For most people, they will usually come up with a new year’s resolution of things that they want to do for the coming year. Well today we wanted to put together a list of things that we want to stop doing for the upcoming year. So without any further delay, here are 10 things to STOP doing this coming year.
1. Stop trying to be what others want you to be
2. Stop waiting to do great things
There are no defined demographics for individuals to do great things. It doesn’t matter if you’re poor, rich, young or old you are always in a position to do great things. Sometimes we put ourselves into these boxes of what “influential people” are supposed to look like not realizing that they come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and situations. As the old Nike adage goes “Just do it.”
3. Stop blaming others for your lack of success
Obviously we can’t control 100% of our surroundings but if we are constantly blaming others for our lack of accomplishment, we start to lose control of our situation and start to take on a victim mentality.
And when we fail to accomplish the changes we seek, we almost always start pointing the finger outwards to everyone but the individual who is most responsible for the lack of change, ourselves.
One of Nephi’s greatest qualities was that he was a man of action. We all remember singing the Primary song and the part where we boldly sang “I will go, I will do the thin1gs the Lord Commands…” but we also need to remember that “Mr. Go and Do” became “Mr. Went and Did”. Not only did he want to go and listen to the commandments of God, he went out and did those things. He “acted” upon the promptings of the Spirit.
4. Stop getting in your own way
Nothing is more damaging than self-doubt and no one individual could ever get in our way more than ourselves. We are constantly undermining ourselves with thoughts of past failures. Don’t allow not knowing how to do something prevent you from doing it. It’s been my experience that most of the time, it’s not the lack of ability that prevents us from achieving our goals but the lack of confidence and perseverance.
5. Stop comparing yourself to others.
Stop basing your success or lack thereof on the success or failures of others. This is not a zero sum game. You can be successful and also have your neighbors be successful as well.
Remember that to the extent you base your own internal motivation and desire to accomplish or achieve some tangible goal on someone else’s accomplishment/situation/wealth, you have given control of your life to that individual.
6. Stop worrying about what others think of you.
This is your life and spending all of your energy trying to worry about how others think of your will just be pointless. People judge, stereotype, underestimate and fall into various other biases all the time and will continue to do so.
There’s nothing wrong with walking your own journey on a path you create. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to do the things that you want to do. People are not going to like to do everything that you like to do and vice versa so just go out and create the life you want to live.
7. Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment
Perfect moments rarely come. There will never be a perfect moment to get married, to have kids, to start your own business, exercise etc. etc. Critically analyze the decisions that are laid out in front of you and if it is the right choice for you, then go for it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to help someone or to go out and make a difference in this world. Just go out and do it. If not you then who? If not now then when?
8. Stop doubting
This goes along with #4 but if you constantly have an idea that is coming to mind or if you are constantly being “prompted” to do something, go and make it happen. There’s a reason for it so instead of just letting yet another prompting or idea go by the way side, go out and make it happen.
9. Stop being afraid to give to the world
Everyone gets taken advantage by others at some point in life but don’t allow a few bad experiences dampened the good you can provide to the world. We’re all in this together and when you give the world the best you have, the best comes back to you. As you put out good to the world, good will inevitably come back to you.
10. When you have made the necessary adjustments stop feeling guilty over past mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes and we need to learn from them. However, once the lesson has been learn and the necessary steps have been made, we need to learn to move on from these mistakes. Don’t constantly beat yourself up over something that has been taken care of. There is nothing that Satan would rather have you feel than feel like your “worthless” or a “lost cause”. No one is a lost cause. As Elder Holland states below
