January 30, 2008
No More New Year's Resolutions
I am sure by now you have been bombarded with the word’s New Year’s Resolution to the point where you couldn’t possibly read another thing about it. If that is the case than you definitely need to read this article because I am going to provide you with a new version of New Year’s Resolutions.
Before I do just that, let me ask you, what is it about New Year’s Resolutions that you hate? The setting goals for yourself part probably isn’t the thing that bugs you right? I think it is fair to say that by the beginning of the year you are motivated to make some changes in your life. After all you just finished up yet another year and are asking yourself, “where did it go’? I am betting that the reason that New Year’s Resolutions have such a negative impact on you, and you are not alone with your negative thought, is because the enthusiasm and motivation for the goals you set begin to wane because inevitably life gets in the way and another year will pass and again you’ll ask the question “where did the time go”?
If the above paragraph represents you in anyway then listen up – from this point forward I give you permission to not get pulled into the hype of New Year’s Resolutions. Turn off the media buzz and the guilt that comes along with resolutions. Start the year off on the right foot – set yourself up for success not failure.
How do you set yourself up for success if you don’t set resolutions you ask? Great question! You set yourself for success by appreciating yourself. A new year is a time for reflection and appreciation. When was the last time you stopped and took inventory of how amazing you are? A New Year is a great time to do that. This time of year is not only reserved for changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and checking to make sure your fire extinguisher is full. The beginning of a year is also a time to appreciate yourself, by doing so will ensure that you are facing the New Year with charged batteries and full of energy.
My challenge to you is to take the time to appreciate all the great things about you – I know there is many. If you have a hard time finding them, pay close attention to your self-talk over the next few days and every time you hear something negative, turn it around into something positive. See how easy it is to change the way you see yourself and the way you set your life up? So, if you set New Year’s Resolutions for yourself, throw them away if they make you feel stressed or if not meeting them will make you feel like a failure. Now is the time to take a stand – begin to appreciate yourself more – if you don’t do it who will? Stand up and say “Ta Da” to the world!
If you have read any of my previous articles you have heard about acknowledgement journals. An acknowledgement journal is a great tool to support you in this challenge. By taking a few minutes each day to write “I acknowledge myself for …” statements will make a tremendous impact on how you view yourself and the world. So when next New Year’s Eve rolls around you will know where the time went – it went to appreciating yourself and when you feel good about you, you can do amazing things. Here is to you finding your amazing self this year! Cheers!
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