TIME FOR RESOLUTIONS
It's that time of year again when we look at ourselves and consider where we need improvement. Yes making a resolutions. There are many people who don't bother figuring they won't fail to succeed if they simply don't make one.
I personally like resolutions. It gives me purpose. It helps me take a good look at myself and gives me the desire to improve or change ares that need it in my life. Simple resolutions would be smile more.
Be more helpful, slow down and smell the roses. Read one book a month. These are all resolutions that are feasible to accomplish.
We all know there many resolutions are much easier to make then to keep. It's important to make them within reach and manageable. Most of us want to lose weight, especially after the food-fest of Christmas. We'd like to quit smoking, get in better shape, save more money, pay off bills, go on vacation and the list goes on and on. All of these resolutions have promise but it takes work and commitment to see them through. That's the hard part.
Some ways I find success in making and keeping resolutions is telling someone of my plan. This gives me a measure of accountability. We all need a cheer leader encouraging us. When we share our goals with people who care about us we are much more likely to keep them. Another helpful tip is writing my goals down on paper so I can visualize them. Once it's written down it's harder to forget.
Being realistic is another crucial point. Set goals you can accomplish. When you have achieved what you set out to do you can set another goal. For an example, don't say you are going to lose 50 pounds or you may become frustrated and just end up giving up. Instead try making a goal of losing 10 pounds in the next 3 months. Once you have reached that goal, you can then make a new resolution. Completing a task or reaching a goal can be a euphoric feeling and can set you in motion to achieve the next one.
Positive thinking comes in to play here as well. We need to think of what we need to do, not what we shouldn't be doing. Negative thoughts pull us down and positive thoughts build us up. If you are trying to save money for an example. Instead of dining out and afterward saying we shouldn't have done that, try shopping for a special dinner and then making it together. You might just add a little romance at the same time.
If you are finding your goals too difficult and they become daunting tasks, feel free to modify them at any time so they become manageable. This is a wonderful time of year to take a good look at yourself and begin working on improving your own perfection.
Good Luck and may you find success in this New Year! May the New Year be a year of forgiving where we need to, loving with abandon, accepting and learning tolerance for each other and our differences, but most of all.. doing all this with a thankful heart.
HAPPY NEW YEAR - Everyone!