The Resolution Revolution
It’s Valentines Day already and love is in the air. January passed in the blink of an eye. The New Year wasn’t quite the new beginning you thought or hoped it might be, but time just seems to fly.
So you have had a brave and gallant attempt at giving up smoking, going to the gym, losing weight and cutting out chocolate completely. But it’s all gone wrong.
ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED?
Because of this, this time of year is known as one of the most depressing times for so many people. With the start of the New Year you watch time slip away as your resolutions fade. By February the moment has gone and so are all your good intentions.
Don’t kid yourself; it isn’t because you haven’t got the time or money. Nor is it because you are weak willed or its someone else’s fault. It is because you have set yourself up for a disaster.
YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR OWN
There is so much you can do to make your resolutions happen. And you don’t have to wait until next New Year to do it. But this time you will do it right.
Sometimes we need a little help and support. So I thought I’d share some simple ideas that we can all do and that are guaranteed to help. These are some of the key steps you must take to make your dreams come true.
BE REALISTIC
Be realistic in what you want. A resolution should be a slight stretch for you but still achievable. Do one thing at a time if you are struggling.
Don’t listen to friends and family who tell you that ‘you’re bound to fail’ or that ‘you can do so much more’. No one knows you better than yourself; just make sure you don’t take on too much at once.
Remember that things like smoking are addictions and not just ‘a bad habit’ that you can kick given enough nicotine patches, gum and boiled sweets. You will almost certainly need professional help to increase your chances of success.
BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
Be very clear and specific in creating your resolutions. Write down in detail what you want, not what you don’t want. Always be positive, don’t use negative words.
Don’t use statements like ‘I want to do more’, ‘I will eat less’ or ‘I will be better’. Detail how much more or less and explain exactly what you mean by ‘better’.
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
Measure your progress in smaller chunks. If your resolution is quite daunting, break it down into smaller steps. This will feel far easier to achieve, bit by bit. Set dates to complete these steps. Make sure they are realistic but challenging.
Don’t be too hard on yourself when you don’t quite achieve some of your targets straight away. Pat yourself on the back for the progress you have made. And promise to do even better next time, keep going.
REINFORCE YOUR GOALS
Tell everyone you know what you are doing and when. They will remind you of your resolutions constantly.
Put visual reminders of your goals everywhere you are likely to be. These might be pictures, posters or very short punchy notes. If they are at eye level, you will take the information in subconsciously without the need to read or look at them directly.
Visualise how it will look, feel, sound, smell and even taste when you achieve your goal. Try this in bed, as you are going to sleep, fully relaxed. If visualising your goal is likely to keep you awake, get some quiet time during the day.
TALK A GOOD JOB
Talk to people as if you have already completed your resolution. At the very least assume that achieving it is inevitable. Talk to yourself in the same way. Positive self talk is very powerful and builds great self belief.
Stop using statements like ‘if I cut down on chocolate’ or ‘I hope I cut down on jelly babies too’. Try these out, ‘now I have cut down on chocolate’ or ‘when I stop eating jelly babies’, far more powerful.
DEVELOP NEW HABITS
New habits can be developed in as little as 5 days. Old habits can take as long as 30 days to let go of. In stead of trying ‘not’ to do something, develop a new habit that is both constructive and prevents you from doing the old one.
When you’re trying to cut down on using the car, make a habit of riding a bicycle to a specific place or thinking of an alternative method of transport. Think of what you should be doing not what you shouldn’t be doing.
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT
Celebrate each achievement, and plan to do so. This will add to your motivation and commitment. Keep praising yourself for your progress and hard work, you deserve it.
Be careful; don’t reward your week long abstinence from chocolate by buying the largest giant chocolate bar in the shop, and eating it all to your self while everyone is out. It won’t help your cause.
GET HELP AND SUPPORT
You don’t have to struggle on alone; this is where coaches really come into their own.
A good personal coach can help you make all your resolutions a reality. No matter what day of the year it is. They genuinely believe you have everything it takes to achieve all you want in life. Put them to the test.
SUMMING UP
Go out there and get what you want. Who cares if it isn’t New Years day? You can have a better life every day. Use the following checklist as a quick guide.
I was going to wish you good luck,
So you have had a brave and gallant attempt at giving up smoking, going to the gym, losing weight and cutting out chocolate completely. But it’s all gone wrong.
ARE YOU REALLY SURPRISED?
Because of this, this time of year is known as one of the most depressing times for so many people. With the start of the New Year you watch time slip away as your resolutions fade. By February the moment has gone and so are all your good intentions.
Don’t kid yourself; it isn’t because you haven’t got the time or money. Nor is it because you are weak willed or its someone else’s fault. It is because you have set yourself up for a disaster.
YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR OWN
There is so much you can do to make your resolutions happen. And you don’t have to wait until next New Year to do it. But this time you will do it right.
Sometimes we need a little help and support. So I thought I’d share some simple ideas that we can all do and that are guaranteed to help. These are some of the key steps you must take to make your dreams come true.
BE REALISTIC
Be realistic in what you want. A resolution should be a slight stretch for you but still achievable. Do one thing at a time if you are struggling.
Don’t listen to friends and family who tell you that ‘you’re bound to fail’ or that ‘you can do so much more’. No one knows you better than yourself; just make sure you don’t take on too much at once.
Remember that things like smoking are addictions and not just ‘a bad habit’ that you can kick given enough nicotine patches, gum and boiled sweets. You will almost certainly need professional help to increase your chances of success.
BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
Be very clear and specific in creating your resolutions. Write down in detail what you want, not what you don’t want. Always be positive, don’t use negative words.
Don’t use statements like ‘I want to do more’, ‘I will eat less’ or ‘I will be better’. Detail how much more or less and explain exactly what you mean by ‘better’.
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
Measure your progress in smaller chunks. If your resolution is quite daunting, break it down into smaller steps. This will feel far easier to achieve, bit by bit. Set dates to complete these steps. Make sure they are realistic but challenging.
Don’t be too hard on yourself when you don’t quite achieve some of your targets straight away. Pat yourself on the back for the progress you have made. And promise to do even better next time, keep going.
REINFORCE YOUR GOALS
Tell everyone you know what you are doing and when. They will remind you of your resolutions constantly.
Put visual reminders of your goals everywhere you are likely to be. These might be pictures, posters or very short punchy notes. If they are at eye level, you will take the information in subconsciously without the need to read or look at them directly.
Visualise how it will look, feel, sound, smell and even taste when you achieve your goal. Try this in bed, as you are going to sleep, fully relaxed. If visualising your goal is likely to keep you awake, get some quiet time during the day.
TALK A GOOD JOB
Talk to people as if you have already completed your resolution. At the very least assume that achieving it is inevitable. Talk to yourself in the same way. Positive self talk is very powerful and builds great self belief.
Stop using statements like ‘if I cut down on chocolate’ or ‘I hope I cut down on jelly babies too’. Try these out, ‘now I have cut down on chocolate’ or ‘when I stop eating jelly babies’, far more powerful.
DEVELOP NEW HABITS
New habits can be developed in as little as 5 days. Old habits can take as long as 30 days to let go of. In stead of trying ‘not’ to do something, develop a new habit that is both constructive and prevents you from doing the old one.
When you’re trying to cut down on using the car, make a habit of riding a bicycle to a specific place or thinking of an alternative method of transport. Think of what you should be doing not what you shouldn’t be doing.
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT
Celebrate each achievement, and plan to do so. This will add to your motivation and commitment. Keep praising yourself for your progress and hard work, you deserve it.
Be careful; don’t reward your week long abstinence from chocolate by buying the largest giant chocolate bar in the shop, and eating it all to your self while everyone is out. It won’t help your cause.
GET HELP AND SUPPORT
You don’t have to struggle on alone; this is where coaches really come into their own.
A good personal coach can help you make all your resolutions a reality. No matter what day of the year it is. They genuinely believe you have everything it takes to achieve all you want in life. Put them to the test.
SUMMING UP
Go out there and get what you want. Who cares if it isn’t New Years day? You can have a better life every day. Use the following checklist as a quick guide.
I was going to wish you good luck,
but you don’t need luck any more.
CHECKLIST
BE REALISTIC
BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
REINFORCE YOUR GOALS
TALK A GOOD JOB
DEVELOP NEW HABITS
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT
GET HELP AND SUPPORT
CHECKLIST
BE REALISTIC
BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC
TAKE ONE STEP AT A TIME
REINFORCE YOUR GOALS
TALK A GOOD JOB
DEVELOP NEW HABITS
CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENT
GET HELP AND SUPPORT
