Help With That New Year's Resolution...
I’ve done considerable study and research, learning and personal development over the last few years. It’s one of the reasons why I have the type of attitude I do and why my belief in not only myself, but YTB is so strong. I’m a completely different person today than when I first joined YTB some three years ago. Many of us want to change, and New Years resolutions are always a good start to forming new habits and projects.
Part of the problem however, is keeping those resolutions alive. If I asked you today, what your New Years resolution was for last year, I’m willing to bet that most of you couldn’t tell me what it was. Why?
First, most don’t even take the time to write down these resolutions to begin with. We’re too lazy to even take the time to put it down on paper, but somehow fully expect to keep them? (Rrrrrrright.) I not only had mine written down, but just replaced it on my bathroom mirror this morning. I saw mine every single day. While I didn’t read it aloud every day, I did at least look at it and it triggered the reminder of what my goals and aspiration were for 2007.
In the spirit of today, I thought I’d offer some tips on helping you keep your resolution now that you’ve taken the time to write it down and place it on your mirror. (If you’re serious about this, I know you did.)
Here we go…
Focus on the Process:
Make It Daily:
Visualize:
Part of the problem however, is keeping those resolutions alive. If I asked you today, what your New Years resolution was for last year, I’m willing to bet that most of you couldn’t tell me what it was. Why?
First, most don’t even take the time to write down these resolutions to begin with. We’re too lazy to even take the time to put it down on paper, but somehow fully expect to keep them? (Rrrrrrright.) I not only had mine written down, but just replaced it on my bathroom mirror this morning. I saw mine every single day. While I didn’t read it aloud every day, I did at least look at it and it triggered the reminder of what my goals and aspiration were for 2007.In the spirit of today, I thought I’d offer some tips on helping you keep your resolution now that you’ve taken the time to write it down and place it on your mirror. (If you’re serious about this, I know you did.)
Here we go…
Focus on the Process:
Almost every resolution focuses on an outcome, such as losing 40 pounds or running a marathon. Instead, focus on the process that will get you there. This means that your resolution should focus on what you will do, not what you will get. Translate your wish list for the new year into concrete actions. For example, try pledging to eat 20% less at every meal instead of losing 40 pounds. If you want to invest $3000 into a retirement account this year, break it down to putting aside $10.00 a day.
Make It Daily:
Your best bet for success is turning your resolution into a daily action, (thus the $10 per day, or 20% less at every meal) so that it becomes habitual. Engaging in at least 10 minutes of exercise everyday, for example, is a better than saying you'll go to the gym 3 times a week. You can always do more than the 10 minutes, but (on a bad day) you can still meet your goal with a quick 10 minute walk.
Visualize:
It may sound like new age hocus-pocus, but visualizing yourself doing your resolution can help. When you visualize, your brain "practices" your action. Musicians and athletes use this to improve their performance, and you can use it to increase your success. Just spend a few moments picturing yourself eating less, exercising more or relaxing in the new year. Make it vivid -- picture sites, smells, and sounds.
Feel It:
You need to feel the benefits of your resolution in your body. That means you need to pay attention to how your body feels. Does your resolution improve your sleep, mood or energy level? Does it remove stress from your life? Ask yourself what benefits you should be expecting. Check in with yourself daily to monitor the benefits of your resolution and truly feel your progress.
Commit:
A New Year's resolution won't work if you don't commit to it. Along with writing this down in a sentence that says what you are going to do in the new year. Once you write it down and post it, tell everyone about your plans. The more people you tell, the better your chance for success --they can hold you accountable to your pledge, and you can feel an increased sense of needing to stand by your word.
I hope this helps and if you’d like to call, e-mail, comment here with your New Years resolution feel free. Just be advised, that if you do, I’ll be asking you in a few months how it’s going. What are going to be the odds you won’t even remember what the heck it was?
Subscribe to Just Picture It Now for additional announcements and details!
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Book Your Travel & Vacations With
Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635
