> This Week: How're your resolutions coming?
Hi All,
After nearly a month of snow, ice, wind, and heavy rain, today's starting to look sunny.
I hope 2009 is starting to look sunny for you. One of my goals for this year is to help you become resilient -- able to bounce back from difficulties and setbacks and create what truly matters to you.
But experts tell us that, by now, just one week after they made their NY's resolutions, up to 30% of people have packed them in. And by the end of this month, 65% will have quit or given up their intentions. Only about 5% to 10% will actually succeed. Not very good odds!
So, how can we increase your chances of following through on goals and resolutions -- and actually complete the results we truly want to create in '09. Here are 5 Do's and 5 Don'ts to help:
DO:
1. Make your resolution/goal in the form of a result. "A fit healthy body; able to ski all day and dance all night," is far more motivating and easier to sustain than "jog 5 miles every day." Yuk!
Focus on, and choose the result first; then choose the action that supports the result.
2. Think of your goal/result as a "creation" that you want to bring into being, not a problem you want to get rid of, or relief from. Imagine your creation fully created it. See it as part of your life.
3. Assess your strengths, assets, skills, and resources. See what you already have in place, and what forces are working on your behalf. Most people find that they have more in place than they aware of. That's because we tend to over-focus on our weaknesses and deficits. Acknowledge those, but put most of your focus on what's already there. It'll make you feel good, increase your motivation, and build instant momentum.
4. Break large goals into sub-results, and then break those into sub-sub-results. Don't just try to run a marathon. Break it down into smaller results—spread over a time. Walk/run 3 miles by March 1st. Run 3 miles by April 1. Run a 5-mile race in May. Run a 10-mile race in July. Do a 20-mile training run in Sept. Do a half marathon in Oct. Run the Honolulu Marathon, next Dec!
5. See both goal/results and the actions that support them as "choices" you want to make, not as chores, or burdens. Choosing has much more power than wishing, hoping, or even visualizing, by itself. Choose your result, and then choose actions that support it. Unleash your power! ;-)
DON'T—
— do too many things at one time. Focus. Limit yourself to one or two key goals. Focus increases your power just like changing a garden hose from fine spray to power wash. Narrowing your limits increase the power available to you for action.
— "should" on yourself! Don't try to force yourself to take action by using should, ought, must, have to, or need to. That takes you out of choice and into obligation. It also breeds resentment, sucks away your energy, and leaves you without motivation. Double yuk! [See #5 above!]
— distort current reality, or lie to yourself about where you're starting, or what you have. Telling the truth will give you a solid platform for action. If you want to run a marathon and "used to" be able to run 5 miles, don't assume you still can. Check it out; get accurate, objective info about your current capacity. Start there, and build. You'll be less likely to hurt yourself. And you'll increase your chances of success. Plus, you'll have a lot more fun!
— over-react if things don't work as you want, when you want. Focus on your result, assess your reality, and then ask, "What's my best next step." Keep plugging along -- poco a poco, little by little -- and, with time and continued effort, results will come. It's a law! Pareto's, actually.
— compare yourself to others. "Comparison is sin," said the Buddha. Focus on your goals and your actions, and set interim targets that help you stay focused and motivated. We're all different, and we all go best at our own pace.
Bonus DO:
Do celebrate small successes. Affirm the actions you take, and pat yourself on the back for the sub-results you complete. Just keep completing the sub-results and they will accumulate into the finished end result you chose. Pareto says so!
Good luck!
If you want more detailed instructions in goal setting or setting up a framework in which to make your resolutions a reality, I recommend these articles on my HubPage site:
• The Top Seven Reasons Most Goal Setting Does NOT Work, And What To Do About It.
http://tinyurl.com/goalsetting-flaws
• Jumpstart Personal and Professional Success—And Keep It Moving!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Jumpstart-Your-SuccessAnd-Keep-It-Moving
If you're feeling down, or fear that setting goals will just lead to disappointment, I recommend you take a look at:
• Sandra's Story: I Took Back The Energy It Takes To Pout—And Changed My Life!
http://tinyurl.com/Sandra-s-Story
• Authentic Success: Your Ordinary Self Is Good Enough!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Your-Ordinary-Self-Is-Good-Enough
> Don't forget to give me a "Thumbs Up!" and leave me a comment telling me why you liked it if you did. Share it with others via the "Share It!" button. You can leave a comment without giving personal info--just make up a name! If you preface it with SS, I know you're a reader. THANKS!
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> ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE 2009 YOUR BEST YEAR EVER?
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> What do you think it would be worth to you to have a clear sense of purpose and direction?
To have clear, written goals—and a tried-and-true framework for achieving them?
> What does it cost you not to have clear direction, specific goals, and a structure for creating them?
Coaching can help you clarify and articulate your desires—and create them, in a step-by-step way.
Now is a great time to invest in YOU. It could be the perfect time to get help creating what matters—with whatever you have to work with!
> My free 8-page Coaching Info Package can help you see if coaching is for you. Just email me with "coaching info" in the subject line.
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QUOTABLE QUOTES:
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"Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them. "
-- Josie Bisset
"Knowledge is only potential power. It becomes power only when, and if, it is organized into definite plans of action, and directed toward a definite end."
-- Napoleon Hill
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful then the risk it took to blossom."
-- Anaïs Nin
"This is your life! You can't wait for "someday" to enjoy it! You can't wait for a big break, for a better economy, warmer weather or until you "feel like it." As someone wisely said, "don't wait for your ship come in, swim out to meet it!"
-- Phil Humbert
"Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become."
-- Barbara Geraci
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
-- Helen Keller
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NEW ARTICLE ON HUBPAGES:
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I just put up a new article about Creating Sustainable Communities.
Check out "Walking On Two Legs" @
http://hubpages.com/hub/Two-Legged-Sustainable-Communities
How about a "thumbs up!" and a "share it" post to Facebook, Digg, Delicious, etc… It's simple, and it support me a lot. Thanks!
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MY BOOKS:
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Just a reminder that I sell my books from my website. For more info, or to purchase
• Simplicity and Success: Creating the Life You Long For,
• Emotional Mastery: Manage Your Moods & Create What Matters--With Whatever Life Gives You!
Visit http://www.BruceElkin.com
Buying these books is a win/win way for you to support me and the newsletter. I appreciate your support!
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NEED A LAUGH? CHECK THIS OUT!
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I saw this on TV, and it cracked me up. It's a site full of videos of cute things -- mainly little animals and babies -- falling asleep.
http://www.cutethingsfallingasleep.org/
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> If you haven't made resolutions, or set goals, this year, why not start now? It's never too late, and people with written goals out-perform those without them.
Have a wonderful week!
Bruce |
