Simply Do What You Resolve To Do
Copyright 2006 Daniel Sitter
It's that time again, when we all are trying to decide upon
those New Year resolutions that we intend to institute and
commit to. We are already well into January 2006; Have you
started your New Year yet? Have you already decided upon your
resolution? Will you continue or have you already conceded
failure? Will you try again? Why is it so difficult to do this
one simple thing?
Human beings are complex beings composed of physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual components. We are creatures of habit.
Most of us resist change, tending to yield to that which we find
comfortable. We often feel threatened by complexity and
technology, preferring that which is safe and familiar.
Proclaiming a resolution or goal for the New Year is fun to
announce and discuss but often difficult to begin, much less
accomplish in a timely manner.
Our brains work in mysterious yet somewhat predictable ways, as
scientists have recently discovered. Did you know that the act
of simply writing down your new resolution and reviewing it
often, possibly by placing it in a place where you will be
exposed to it often, such as on the bathroom mirror, drastically
increases the odds that you will indeed accomplish that goal?
Take time to re-write your goal each day and increase your
success rate even more! In fact, if you will simply read and/or
write your goal each morning when you arise and again each
evening before going to sleep, you will enable your subconscious
mind to work on driving you towards it when you awaken again.
This is a truly amazing phenomenon that actually works. It has
worked for me and countless others, and it will work for you as
well.
We now know that it takes no less than three weeks to form a new
habit. If you have decided, for instance, that you will drink a
glass of soymilk each morning as part of a heart-healthy
strategy, you must actually consume that soymilk each morning,
preferably at the same time, for at least three weeks before it
becomes habitual. You will learn to enjoy it and will surely
miss it if you do not have that refreshing drink on any given
morning! You see, it is really that simple.
Anthony Robbins teaches that we are all driven by the emotions
of pain and pleasure. As humans, we continuously seek pleasure
and avoid pain at all costs. If an activity, dieting for
instance, is associated with pain and discomfort in your brain,
then you are going to find it quite difficult to institute any
quality, successful dietary program unless you change how you
feel about it. If you associate great pleasure with the thought
of your body with twenty pounds less weight around your
mid-section, then you probably will have the drive and
conviction to deny yourself those tempting extra calories. You
will associate great pain and discomfort with the image of
yourself as you currently are. The pleasure associated with a
lean body will drive you through the temporary, short-term
discomfort of the diet.
The truth of the matter is that all resolutions or goals are
basically a matter of personal decision. Brian Tracy, a master
trainer and expert in personal development says it all in one
simple statement: "Simply do what you resolve to do." Nike says
"Just do it." Yoda says "Try? Try? There is no try, only do."
There is no simpler, more direct description of how to achieve
ongoing success in any personal endeavor. Decide what it is that
you want, make your plan to achieve it and get busy!