Well, here we are fresh into the new year and new DECADE! I waited to write about his topic until we were closer to the end of the, what I call, “honeymoon period” that encompasses the “out with the old, in with the new” mindset that we all have when we turn over a new year. What’s unique about this one, is that it’s also a new DECADE. That means 10 New YEARS, and depending on how young you are, you have already made it through a few decades. For me, it has been 4, now in my 5th! WOW!!! That’s a lot! And boy, have I come a LONG way in my life!
I have never been one for “resolutions”. They rank up there with “diets” and I believe setting you up right away for failure because of the stigma just around the words themselves. Generally, people make resolutions like “I am going to lose 50 lbs”, or “I am going to eat healthily”, or “I am going to work out every day”. And then, January 1 hits, and you are off and running, pushing yourself toward the idea of what you think you want and then by mid-February, give up because you are so overwhelmed with the sudden changes that you don’t believe you will ever make it. This same process occurs when we try to make other lifestyle changes and pool them into the “resolutions” category.
So now, let’s look at the definition of “resolution”. It means “a firm decision to do or not to do something”. That’s it. When we make resolutions, we have every intention of doing whatever it is, but we don’t have a plan. We don’t usually have systems set up to help us succeed so, we quit and inevitably, fail. There is also an “all or nothing” attachment to whatever that something is.
Intention, on the other hand, is “a thing intended; an aim or plan” and a goal is “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result” and goal setting “involves the development of an action plan designed to motivate and guide a person or group toward a goal”. Intention and goal setting go hand in hand. It is the expansion of a resolution because we actually can take action by even implementing small steps that are mapped out in a plan. And because the plan involves steps, you need to be specific.
So, instead of making a resolution of “I am going to lose weight”, make an intention of “I am going to lose 20 pounds this year and I am going to get there by taking these steps….” and actually WRITE out your plan, break it down into daily manageable steps. As you accomplish each step, you check it off the list and receive instant gratification and a feeling of accomplishment. Then you do the same thing the next day.
Now, take it one step further. Think about how you want to FEEL if you accomplish this goal. THAT is the true magic behind the success. We aren’t seeking the outcome, we are seeking how we want to FEEL about the outcome. How do you feel when you are 20 pounds lighter? Do you feel healthier, happier, more comfortable in your body? Do you feel sexy and confident? That is what you are really after!
Lastly, if you fall down, and you will, brush yourself off and try again. There is no “all or nothing” when you are working toward a goal. When you fall, reflect on what happened to make you fall. What can you do differently the next time? This is all part of the journey. And this is where you will grow. You will be able to set intentions and make a plan to get you there. Notice I did not say “fail”. To fail means to “be unsuccessful in achieving one’s goal”. If you are constantly working, falling, getting back up, and starting again, this is not failing in my eyes. As long as you don’t give up, you won’t fail.
I challenge you to sit down and look at the things in your life you want to achieve. Weightloss, conquering your debt, or any behavior you would like to change. Pick the top 5-10 things on that list and decide how you are going to get there. Map out your plan, set your intentions, and start! Taking it one step at a time means progress so don’t try and overwhelm yourself trying to do it all at once.
You’ve got this! I believe in you!
