Succeeding with
Your New Year's Resolutions
It's that time of year again when we start talking and thinking about
New Year's Resolutions even though they're old hat and we instinctively
know they don't work. Because your friends, family and colleagues
may chat about what Resolutions they're going to make, do you find
yourself wondering whether to make any? We know that within a few
days or weeks, the Resolutions will be forgotten, nothing will have
changed and yet for some reason most people still worry about them.
So why do we still bother with New Year's Resolutions? First, they're
a custom and a New Year ushers in a new start, so what better time
than now? There's even a small chance that we may stick to our Resolutions
this year, so we have a go. The main reason some people think about
New Year's Resolutions is because they want to change things in their
life.
The word resolution comes from 'resolve' and means to make up one's
mind or decide firmly. The end of a year is a time for clearing out
and completing things, to leave us with a clean slate ready to start
a new year. There's something about a new year, a new beginning, and
a fresh start which encourages us to make New Year's Resolutions.
It's a powerful feeling to know you have a year ahead of you and you
can choose what you do with it. It's a time for reflection about where
you want to go next.
What about committing to New Year changes and actions, rather
than Resolutions? The key to achieving what you really want in life
and business is to take action to achieve those changes. It's the
lack of action which stops us from having what we most want. What
you want will be different for each individual and may include:
· More time for spiritual matters in your personal life
· More concern towards others-sharing your love, resources, etc.
· Greater business and career success.
· Balance between work and home-giving due importance to family.
· Altering your management or leadership style.
Thinking about New Year's Resolutions may have made you aware that
there are some changes you want to make. I encourage you to take steps
on a consistent basis to make these changes, rather than vaguely tossing
Resolutions around and not doing anything about them.
Achieving Success
Determined that this year you'll keep those New Year's Resolutions?
Here are a few goal setting tips to get you started!
Don't Try Everything at Once! There's a temptation, with the
New Year, to run off a list of everything we've ever wanted to change.
Don't fall for it! You'll have better luck fulfilling one or two goals
than you will with a list of fifty.You can always add new resolutions
to your list later. ake one thing at a time.
Word it Carefully. Let's say your resolution is to relax more
in the coming year. Word this carefully. Try not to think of it as
"This year I am going to relax." That's a stress-inducer waiting to
happen. It forces you into thinking of the resolution as something
you must do, not something you want to do. Try to make it sound a
little gentler: "This year I'm going to explore different ways of
relaxing."
Make a Plan. Once you know what your resolution is, try to
break it down. Nobody accomplishes anything of significance by trying
to do it all at once.This doesn't have to be a complicated plan; just
brainstorm enough to give you a place to start.
Write it Down. Write down your resolution and your plan of
action. Stick it up on the fridge, in your locker, wherever you know
you'll see it. That way you'll have a constant reminder of the resolution.You
may want to change the wording as time passes and your goal changes.
"But one thing I do: Forgetting what
is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
goal to win the prize..." (Phil. 3:12-14)
Be Encouraged
*************************Letter # 47 (29.12.2002)************
