I don't believe in resolutions. Especially New Year Resolutions.
I make my goals and set a time frame to achieve them, whether it's 3, 6 months or even up to 12 months.
I check my milestones and record every small win I achieve.
Because when I do so, the burden I shoulder on seemed to dissipate into a more manageable target. Suddenly, the torturous climb seems attainable and ain't no mountain high enough.
Resolutions only happen once a year, where you set your mind to go cold turkey, in hope of achieving your objective as quickly as possible — expecting changes overnight.
A resolution doesn't rely on habits. But building habit is a long-term investment for your personal growth. It'll help you build resilience and in turn, help you reach your goals — eventually.
Why now?
One of my previous goals was to learn how to swim.
I've always wanted to learn one of this core survival skills. Coming from a low-income family, and being the eldest, my parents couldn't afford to send me to a swim school.
So I only picked up this crucial skill at the ripe age of 30.
Trigger Point
I used to cringe at deep ends and panicked underwater. Though I have always wished I could swim open water or in the sea with the others, especially when island hopping, I never had the courage of doing so, lest I might drown.
Why must?
By picking up this crucial skill, I have learned how to overcome my fear and enjoyed this sports very much.
I guess, at least for me, swimming has given me much confidence, especially when dealing with emergency situations (rip current, boat accidents, sports activities etc.) that involves water and the sea.
To me, it's always better for me to be better prepared than to be superstitious about natural causes. If sh*t's gonna happen, it will anyway. Better be all prepared.
What's next?
My next goal is, of course, to push myself further by either joining a duathlon or swimming competitively (at my own pace, I'm not trying to compete in Olympics). Each of my goals doesn't necessarily lead to one thing or another, but if it does that'll be nice.
By far, this would be one of my proudest moment. To be able to finally save my own @$$ and goodbye to those days where I'd fear of drowning.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. — Nelson Mandela
Image credit: All public domain images are taken from Pexels, unless stated otherwise.
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But these sites will eventually redirect you to my Steemit blog.
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Hey Congratulatios @deborism, not lot of people achieve their new year goals in the first month, I´m stiil trying to achieve 2017´s jajajjajaj. Very nice keep going :)
I started year end ;) it was last year's goal but i'm only making the report now as a reminder to myself. there are still goals in line. i'll see how :) @difurt
Now I know I can throw you into the pool and you will survive.. hahaha.. was going swim today but didn't because of the rain...
me too but it started raining everytime i wanted to swim. so boohoo @orangila
Yeah... it is raining again, I was so looking forward to my beautiful swim today.. oh well..
Exactly why I am studying to become a doctor even though I'm not interested in practicing it as a career. Glad that you're up for the next challenge! Duathlon seems interesting, if you can cycle perhaps you can even take up triathlon :P
Yeah i can cycle. I just didn't want to run, hence the Duathlon... I think duathlon is only swimming and biking? Or is it only swimming and run? Ha-ha totally forgotten. anyway, i know you must know how to swim in both cases. Triathlon will definitely kill me haha
Well, seems like we're both mistaken @deborism. Duathlon starts with running, then cycling and back to running. Hahaha
Wow this is so inspirational! Thank you! I also want to learn how to swim. I love going to the beach and islands hopping also. I always have to wear the life jacket when I go snorkeling :(
Could you give me the tips of how you started learning? I can't get over how I have to close my eyes and hold my breath at the same time..
Frankly, my coach made me float comfortably first and taught me how to control my breath (breathe out through your nose underwater, breathe in through your mouth above water) and honestly, it's best to just practice in a 1.5m deep pool first before setting off to a deeper end.
More importantly, get someone to be there with you when trying out. It's usually the first time that's the toughest. I've tried watching Youtube vids and all prior to this, but I figured that I learn best from the experts. So don't hesitate to engage with one @namwanny. It's not that easy explaining the process in words here, but it's not impossible to learn how to swim even at an older age. I've seen some learners in their 50s taking up the swim classes. Pretty inspiring sight to behold :)
Thank you! These are great tips. I do need to learn how to breathe in and out. Luckily I know how to float and be on top of the water but not under haha I want to be able to jump into the water with joy and confidence like your pictures too :) And I can't wait for that day. I'm going to make it happen. Thank you so much again for this!
So bila swim gathering 1.0 ?
bila2 je la ~... *starts prep for bikini bod HAHAHA
Fuiyo 🙈... 💪🏻💪🏻
Being able to conquer your fears started opening a whole new world to you, isn't it? Now you can see the underwater world, which is like another planet :)
Try diving next. I fell in love with it at first try. You won't believe how beautiful underwater world is.
You're doing good, taking your fears to the next level (i.e competitions).
it's just something i might consider :) thanks for the wonderful recommendation <3 @tifaong
Deep sea got momok monster that will suddenly eat you if you swim in open waters. Hahaha
I always imagine something like this would happen one. Hahaha
my point exactly ! or get sucked into the deep hole... >:(
Nice post @deborism. I am also the parent who want the kids to pick up the swimming skills just exactly for all the reasons you had mentioned. Cheers and keep it up.
thanks @jacktan... i'm sure your kids will thank you for it <3
wahh.. i also correcting my swim skills now. still getting the new rhythm and new way of breathing as my 'original' breathing , i was told i breathe too much and exert lots of energy. wanna do some good smooth swim soon