What's your '09 motto? Mine is simple as can be.

Between facebook, twitter, and various blogs, I can't help but see resolution after resolution for 2009. I do have a few of my own, and much like everyone else, it's hit or miss whether I will still remember those vows come December 31.

But, this year, I am trying something different. I'm creating a motto for myself -- a theme, a niche, a style, so to speak.

My motto for 2009 is SIMPLICITY.

Those who followed the GAL blog last year know that I recently fell head first into a rut. It was partially my own fault, but it was such an eye opener. For once, I felt like someone turned the stage lights on, and all the "stuff" I plowed through and busied myself with suddenly seemed insignificant.

I pledged to turn down the volume (and pace)... to peel away all unnecessary things in life that drained me... and to reclaim my time and my sanity.

So far, I:

• Figured out the life I want (in all aspects, not just work) and decided to only do things that get me there.
• Saying "no" or "absolutely not" to anything that doesn't meet the criteria in the first bullet.
• Realized the person I have to say "no" to most often is myself.
  
• Reassessed what I wanted out of work, and where work falls on my list of priorities.
  
• Got over the fear of addressing my work desires.
• Got over the fear of leaving work if staying meant putting work above family and my life.
• Simplified many of my relationships across the board, and ignited those that actually uplift, humor, educate, inspire, or encourage.
• Scratched many, many things off the to do list and said to h&!! with those things.
• Became physically active again, ultimately dropping 12 pounds over 2 months.
• Stopped moving at lightening speed and learned to enjoy the feeling of sitting still for longer than 0.5 seconds (which meant, at times, not blogging).
  

For once in a long time I feel at peace. I feel more at peace than when I first wrote, "The Get A Life Campaign." I had allowed the book promotion to eat up all the free time I'd created. Then, I went back to work in medicine. And so goes the story. But, enough about me...

What is YOUR motto for 2009?

No more items added to your to do list, more rules you know you'll break, more crap to stress over. Where's your head this year? What's your theme (or theme music) for the Oh-nine? I want to know...

While you think, enjoy this song, entitled "A Song of Simplicity" by piano artist, Elijah Bossenbroek:






Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com
Follow me on Twitter: @doctorty
Add our facebook fan page

Guilt from your significant other...

So, one of the topics we discussed at last night's GAL workshop was how relationships can sometimes get in our way of having a life. More specifically, how many busy women feel guilty and weighed down by their companions for being the busy women that they have always been (even when they met him!).

I know what you're thinking -- isn't the whole point of GAL to slow down all the busy-ness and focus on the relaxing parts of life, like hanging out with your significant other? Absolutely. But, it's hard to get there when your companion is making you feel bad for all the things you do and have always done. And the truth is, if you weren't the women that you are, he wouldn't have fallen for you in the first place.

At any rate, I wanted to share a few thoughts I had after the discussion was over... things that we can all try to do to make sure we're maintaining true balance across all fronts of our lives.

• If Mr. Companion/Hubby/Significant Other is complaining or acting weird about you running around all the time, figure out what the real reason is. Is it simply that you don't spend enough time with him? Is he unhappy with the fact that HE doesn't have a hobby? Does he hate work? Did he come home and wanna vent and you weren't there? Or, are you just not what he expected in a wife? I would hate to see you GALs start working from home or rearranging schedules only to find out that his problem was not really time.
  

• Make a dedicated time to spend with him. If you can schedule your mani-pedis, then you can give your man a dedicated period of time weekly or semiweekly. And stick to it. Even if you just watch TV all day, let that time be uninterrupted with him.

• Multi-task a bit. Invite him to run around with you some days in exchange for you cutting back on your schedule.

• Lastly, stop feeling guilty. If you want to change, then change. But feeling guilty will only breed resentment and you'll be even less willing to compromise with him or hear him out.

Good luck GALs. We live in an odd society that expects us to be all things to all people. Redefine your own roles... and stay tuned for my next post about the new millennium marriage!

Visit www.getalifecampaign.com for more tips and a copy of "The Get A Life Campaign!"