Happy Sunday! I'm excited to share another brunch place in Austin on Burnet Road - Picnik. Atmosphere is very modern and contemporary. The menu is 100% gluten, corn, peanut, and soy free (they offer vegan options for some of their dishes. I ordered the Harvest Hast with their special Chai Latte.
OMG, it's been a month in already!?
And do you remember those New Year's Resolutions you made day one of this year? Well here are the statistics, about 50%-80% give in by this time. I know crazy right, or maybe not so crazy depending who you are.
Well I'm not here to guilt trip you in any way or force you to get back on those goals. I am definitely guilty of slacking but I didn't want to this year to be that kind of year again. This time I approached it differently - no resolutions - period. Ok so it's not THAT simple. I'm simple shifting my focus on implementing things that truly motivate me or support me to reach a change in my life instead of aspiring to it. I am geared towards thinking about being in the present/self-aware and reaching change on a daily basis. I believe eventually those daily actions turn into a full on change.
Here are my five tips to getting back on track and reinvent your approach to creatively attain your goals.
1. Routines
Instead of setting a goal and wishing for it to happen I am now focused on implementing it day one as a routine.
For instance, one issue I struggled with is controlling what I am eating and maintaining a healthy body. Naturally with a 9-5 job I've definitely fallen into easily ordering out or eating out often while accruing high meal expenses and an unhealthy diet. With less time to actually prepare food each day I've started to meal prep on Sundays and get my groceries down to a science. I know what I'm buying (so no more figuring out or wasting time at the grocery store getting stuff you might not even eat during the week). And how much I'm spending on food. I only dedicate an hour or two to prepping on Sunday and control my diet (and I've actually started to enjoy and appreciate food in general). Obviously this might not work for everyone but it's an example.
Generally: identify your goal --> what are the road blocks --> creatively find a routine to overcome and implement on a daily basis to get to your goal (if possible be specific when and where this routine will take place)
2. Fitness & Health
You have big dreams! But how can you accomplish them if your body breaks down on you or constantly getting sick?
This leads to understanding yourself and your body. Make yourself a priority by figuring out a fitness routine that works for you to keep you in shape and manage stress. Can you squeeze in 30 mins? Great! Then depending on how fit you would like to be try following some fitness influencers on instagram to get ideas of what works for you. I recommend msjeannettejenkins or gymtears on instagram. I'm not saying you should bulk up but try to move your body every day to help you stay healthy and deal with the stress your dreams might come with.
3. Personality Tests
Making yourself a priority is not just treat yo'self. It's getting to know you, what triggers you to reach for a sugary food or beverage? What are you motivated by? What kind of people annoy you? It's a new year so take some personality tests, and dig deep to understand your make up or genetics or personality. I recommend: https://truecolorsintl.com/ (this is catered to how you work with other colleagues)
4. Tracker
I've come late in the game in this bullet journaling trend. But having worked in finance I value tracking and keeping historical data. Thus, having a tracker has beneficially allowed me to keep track of myself and my progress.
Having something tangible and visual allows you to truly look back and figure out what is the best approach on how to move forward. By looking at at a tracker you can as was there a week you didn't go to the gym? What happened that week, maybe you had to stay late for work and not enough sleep? This isn't to insinuate self-hate but to get an in depth understanding of yourself and YOUR BEHAVIORS!
5. Reading
After having a somewhat handle on a routine, yourself, and your behaviors it doesn't hurt to expand your knowledge to keep refining those things. I believe the key to staying motivated is to continue expanding your knowledge. Don't be so fixated on doing things perfectly, give yourself room to grow into the changes you are aspiring for. Surround yourself with people and thoughts you want to embody by reading articles/books or even listening to podcasts by people you admire. What worked for them? What lessons did they learn? There is always something out there that can give you the inspiration or clarity on continuously improving towards your goal.
Chinese New Years is coming up, so here's your second chance to try again.
Ramen Tatsuya recently opened their own version of Japanese street food and bar called Domo Alley-Gato by east Austin. Being half Japanese I was very excited to make my way over after work and was not disappointed. The atmosphere completely embodies Japanese aesthetic with lanterns, cherry blossoms, and lucky cats everywhere.
You order from a very select menu -mainly curry and appetizer dishes. They served classic Japanese alcoholic beverages as well as their own mixed cocktails at a very decked out bar.
We ordered the Kare Ban Ban (Ban Ban Dog, $6.50) and classic Katsu Curry ($12.50). You have the option to customize your curry and add more toppings but since it was my first time I opted to just get the original without additional toppings.
The experience is completely outdoors on a patio. It was actually raining when I went but there was plenty of shade preventing the rain to get on us. Lanterns are lit everywhere and private booths are provides to create a pleasant social experience with friends.
