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January 03, 2007
To resolve or not to resolve?
The following article will appear in "InPort News" next Wednesday. At POG you get a sneak peak.
'Tis the time of resolutions. The beginning of every new year, causes people to stop, think, and hope for a better year. And so, we usually begin the year by resolving to give up things like smoking and certain foods that easily add extra inches to our waistlines. Our resolutions aren't simply about giving up things we perceive as negative. They are positive as well, such as, to exercise more, and spend more time with friends and family.
Resolutions come from the desire to experience a more fulfilling life. However, as you've probably found out by now, there's a high likelihood that even though we're only two weeks into the new year, you've already broken the things you'd resolved to do or not do. And if you've done that, there's also a high likelihood that you're back to your old rhythms, feeling like although they were good ideas, they were beyond your ability to carry them out.
Now, most of us have traveled this road enough times before. As a result, each year, many people have made the resolution to not make any resolutions. After all, if all I'm going to do is fail, why try at all? At first glance that sounds like a good idea, but is it really?
Let me suggest, that there is at least one thing this year that would make your life a little better. I really don’t know what that one thing is for you. But, there's a good chance that if you took some time to think about it, you'd come up with it pretty quickly. My challenge to you today is, if there's something that would be an improvement to your life in 2007, why not make it a part of your life? Or, if there’s something that’s taking away from you experiencing a better 2007, why not give that up?
Most of us give up on our resolutions way too easy. The reason that we do, is that a desire to do something is just the first step to making a positive change in our lives. But a desire alone is not enough.
If you want to make a change, whatever it is, you need a plan. So, what is that thing that could, potentially, improve your life in 2007?
Now answer this question, what are two or three steps you need to take in order to make that change a reality. For example, if your desire is to begin to exercise this year, the very first step you need to take is to decide what you will do that will help you. Maybe joining a gym is not your thing, but maybe you enjoy walking. So, why not make plans to start walking? But deciding to walk isn’t enough. You need to decide when you’re going to walk. It’s important to know that in making any change being able to repeat a pattern will increase your ability to succeed. So, if you're going to walk, as best as you can, go out on the same days, at the same time. Something else you really need to know, most of us have a hard time doing anything on our own, so a partner might be in order. So, maybe your third step is finding someone else who'd like to go out with you. Accountability is one of the greatest contributors to success in any change we’re attempting to accomplish.
So, Three secrets to making your New Year’s resolution a reality this year.
1. Decide what it is you're going to do in a way that works for you.
2. Plan when and how you're going to do it.
3. Get a partner who will do it with you and keep you on track.
One last thing to remember, if you fail, don't give up, just start again. After all, if you miss a meal, you don't give up eating all together, right?
May your new year be filled with joy and peace.
Posted by: ed