Let’s face it. Most New Year’s resolutions fail. Oh, yes, we hear great stories of people who lose a bunch of weight or pay off all their debt. But, the truth is, the success stories don’t even come close to the number of resolutions that fail.
Are we just a bunch of losers? I find that hard to believe! We all know very successful people who fail at changing some random part of their life year after year after year. Maybe you are one of those people!
So, what gives? I think we set ourselves up for failure!
First of all, the things we are focusing on when choosing our New Year's resolutions may not mean enough to us. Are you wanting to lose twenty pounds because the media has convinced you that is the ideal? Hogwash! I see attractive women (and men) who by Hollywood standards are overweight, but they are fit, healthy and totally enjoying life! They are passionate about something or maybe even many things in their lives.
If you could wake up tomorrow and have one thing be different in your life what would it be? Think about it and be honest with yourself. The only limitation I am giving you is that achieving that change must be legally possible even if it isn't probable.
Would the change SERIOUSLY be to be thinner? Out of ALL the dreams you could have chosen? REALLY? If so, go for it! If not, then that dream is where your energy needs to be focused! As you get closer and closer to your dream , I bet you will see positive changes in your stress level, your relationships, your health and, yes, even your weight!
The second pitfall is that a year is just too long for many people to stay focused. Hey, I sometimes have difficulty focusing for an hour, so I'm feeling your pain with this year-long thing. Maybe creating monthly resolutions would work for you. Consider the monthly addition of baby steps that can build up to the lifestyle you are after. For demonstration’s sake, let’s just say your goal IS to lose weight. How about baby steps that are all about positive changes and are cumulative in nature?
-January . . .drink at least 100 oz. of water a day (yeah, that’s a lot of water but you can drink it while you’re sitting on the couch!)
-February . . .eat 25 g. of fiber a day from real food sources AND you are still drinking the water (you can still do this from the couch)
-March . . .walk 20 minutes FOUR times a week (and there is still that water and fiber that is getting to be routine by now)
-April . . . give up soda in any form (you're probably not drinking too much of it anyway with all that water so it may be a lot easier than it would have been three months ago)
-May . . .
See how this is progressing and accumulating? By the end of 2012 you will have added 12 new healthy habits. You will not have spent the year trying to lose a set amount of weight and possibly failing. . .you will have spent the year changing your lifestyle to a healthier one. Even if you haven't lost all the weight you would like to, you are still going to be healthier. Even if you don't maintain all of the changes, you will most likely hang onto some of them. You will be a WINNER looking forward to the next challenge!
No matter how big or distant our dreams seem today, we can all be a little closer to achieving them by this time next year. We all have a new opportunity EVERY day to make changes that will make us or our lives a little bit better.
I came across this quote today. I would love to give credit to the author but I searched the internet and it always came up by “anonymous.” It will be printed and placed in a prominent spot in my home and office! I hope it inspires you as you head into 2012 no matter what your dream may be!
CHOICE
Today I choose to live by choice, not by chance;
To make changes, not excuses.
To be motivated, not manipulated.
To be useful, not used.
To excel, not compete.
I choose self-esteem, not self-pity.
I choose to listen to the inner voice, not the random opinion of others.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Does your dream for 2012 or beyond involve buying or selling a home in the Spokane area? Are you thinking of getting back to a simpler lifestyle on your own little farm or property? Are you in search of the perfect spot to start a small business in Eastern Washington? Even if you are not at a point where you are ready to buy or sell, let's get together to discuss what little steps you can take this year to get you closer to that dream. . . positive baby steps! Call or email me today before the "new" wears off the New Year!
VALERIE BAKER
Realtor®
Exit Real Estate Professionals
509-496-6938
simply real estate
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