Every year we decide that this is going to be the year of change. We decide to give up cigarettes, lose the weight, start the yoga class, do something new and exciting.
So with so much New Year determination why do we often fail to stick with it?
The biggest hole we fall into when making any resolutions is that we refuse to be REAL about it all. You might want to lose weight and get healthy but what are you prepared to do and for how long?
Maybe you would benefit from a whole new approach. Ditch the list of resolutions, forget the plans and start with a whole new blank page. Avoid the 'I should do this...' list at all costs, and instead start with the following:
If I choose to stay at my current weight by the end of 2010
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If I choose to stay smoking the way I am, by the end of 2010
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If I choose to continue to treat myself the way I currently am, by the end of 2010
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If I choose to continue thinking and acting the way that I do, by the end of 2010
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If I choose to take positive action on any of the above, by the end of 2010_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If I choose to remain as I am, ignoring signs that something needs to change, by the end of 2010
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Getting real about your present and taking action to change your future is empowering, long term. Making lists of endless resolutions that have been around year after year without being completed is self sabbotage and giving your power away.
There are people that are focused enough to review their year and take stock and make resolutions based on goals. They can, with plenty of focus and tweaking, complete these goals too. It is completely possible, but it is something that is fine tuned with practice. You wouldn't get into your car without knowing where it was going first! Approaching your goals and resolutions with the same attitude helps to ensure that your time and energy are used to good effect. If you find that this is yet another year where you haven't managed to cross off anything from your list of resolutions then stop kidding yourself.
Take some time out, get to know the reality of the cost of staying stuck or not taking action, and you'll soon find that 'getting real' can make a real and lasting difference in your life...now wouldn't that be something worth celebrating next New Years!
