Making Resolutions for 2006
Most of us make resolutions on a New Year's Eve, because a new
year is a mile marker of a lifetime and we want to be in control
of our path while we travel on it. I used to make New Year's
resolutions every year, and sometimes not being able to carry
them out, I ended up feeling discouraged and disappointed in
myself.
The problem was, I set too high a goal to achieve and I expected
too much of me. When I look back, I see that the younger and the
more inexperienced I was, the grander were my goals. After
stopping to make resolutions for a few years, I came across a
workable way to handle my resolutions.
Most of us understand a New Year's resolution to mean "firmness
of purpose." Now, there is nothing wrong in being firm in our
purpose as long as we know we have the capacity to achieve what
we set out for. Another thing is to be flexible and to remember
not to beat on ourselves as if we have failed in everything
totally, should life twist and turn and things do not go our
way. After all, one goal unattained or one incomplete resolution
is not a major loss in one's entire lifetime.
* For a resolution to succeed, the first step is to intend on an
attainable goal. Once you intend on what that goal will be, you
must also intend not to blame yourself, should things not work
out. Think of your resolution not as an obligation but something
you want to do.
* Second step is to define the goal you are shooting for. Write
down the resolution and why you want it. Then, find or devise a
method or a system of achieving it. Separate it into small
steps. Give each step a time period, still being flexible about
it.
* Third, keep notes. As well as recording the steps you take and
the difficulties you overcome, write down all the awards you
receive and the nice things people say about you.
* Fourth, find a group of co-achievers to do it with and people
who can support you along the way. Always ask for help if the
going gets tough. Try to choose the right people. If those you
have chosen turn out not to be of help to you, do not feel
obliged to stick it out with them. There is always a way to let
people down gently.
* If at any time while you are working at your goal, you feel
discouraged, your efforts sag, or you run into a slump, take
time off. Give yourself a tiny vacation to visualize or daydream
about the result. See your achievement in color clearly as if it
has already happened; smell it; taste it; hear it; feel it.
Evaluate how much you have achieved up to that point and pat
yourself on the back. Then get back to work.
May all your resolutions come to fruition in 2006.