We all have plans for the future, good resolutions, and excellent ideas to change our lives, or at least part of them. However, we often find ourselves overcome by apathy, resistance to change, or fear of what others will say. As a result, we remain in our comfort zone, a place where we can’t grow as individuals. Instead, we simply stick to what we already know, even if it doesn’t bring us much satisfaction or even makes our lives miserable.
How to get out of this vicious circle?
Dr. Frank Crane, a columnist for the Boston Globe in the 1920s, gives us some insight.
Although this journalist wrote extensively, he became famous for his “four-minute essays.” They were very short articles containing practical advice for improving people’s lives. Among these writings, one of the most famous was published in the aforementioned American newspaper in 1921 and was titled “Just for Today.” Here is what he proposed:
Just for today
Here are 10 good resolutions you can put into practice when you wake up in the morning. This isn’t a lifelong commitment, but just for one day, for the next 24 hours.
These small goals are enjoyable, but they also require self-discipline. After all, achieving good resolutions isn’t easy.
1. Just for today, I will focus on the challenges of the day, without worrying too much about my other problems.
2. Just for today, I will be happy. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “People are happy when they choose to be.”
3. Just for today, I will accept whatever happens to me without complaining about my bad luck, and I will strive to improve my situation.
4. Just for today, I will take care of my body. I will exercise, eat well, and not abuse it, so that it will be a perfect machine at my service.
5. Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful for life.
6. Just for today, I will challenge myself: I will do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return, I will finish that task I always put off, and if someone hurts me, I will not get upset.
7. Just for today, I will be kind. I will not seek approval from others or criticize anyone.
8. Just for today, I will plan my day in detail so I know what I need to do at every moment, even if that doesn’t mean I can finish everything.
9. Just for today, I will relax for half an hour. During that time, I will dedicate myself to fostering my well-being.
10. Just for today, I will not experience fear. I will not be afraid to be happy, and I will fully enjoy the things I love.
This is certainly an intense program for the next 24 hours. And while it probably won’t radically change your life, it could be just the spark you need to light the fuse.
In fact, the idea of concentrating all our energy and willpower in a single day is brilliant. In the realm of personal growth, we too often get stuck before taking the first step simply because we don’t know where to start or because the task seems colossal. However, this idea offers us something feasible; it’s a commitment that isn’t daunting because it’s just a day in our lives.
The interesting thing is that when we experience these changes firsthand, we understand that they are not only possible, but also beneficial and make us feel good. When we learn to live life to the fullest and unleash our potential, it’s hard to turn back the clock. Therefore, the challenge of just one day can trigger unpredictable effects, stimulating us to make permanent changes in our lives—those changes we’ve always been putting off.
How to transform your life by applying the #justfortoday challenge?
1. Simplify. The resolutions Dr. Crane suggests are excellent, but they’re also numerous, so they can be overwhelming for some people. Therefore, if they don’t achieve these goals at the end of the day, they may feel frustrated and give up on the idea of change. Instead, set just three changes that you can make throughout the day.
2. Personalize. It’s not about setting good resolutions, but rather making them your own. For the #justfortoday challenge, you must find those changes that truly motivate you and will make you a better person. Because only when motivation is intrinsic can it lead to lasting change.
3. Be specific. Dr. Crane’s good intentions are very general, sometimes even vague, so they can be difficult to put into practice. It’s better to set more specific goals, so at the end of the day you’ll know if you’ve truly achieved them.
4. Share. Did you know that sharing a goal with those around you increases your chances of achieving it? Making a social commitment allows us to be more persistent because we know that, in some way, our social image is at stake. So, share your #justfortoday challenge, whether on social media or with the people around you.
5. Persevere. Even if you’re motivated, have only three goals, and know exactly what you need to do, old habits are likely to drag you back to your old ways. Don’t get discouraged or beat yourself up about it. Accept that you’ve strayed from the path you had set out on and get back on it as soon as you can.
Are you in? What are your goals for the #justfortoday challenge?
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