To succeed, you must choose a resolution about which you have great interest and desire - a resolution that will enable you to grow, learn, and have fun. It's also important to choose a resolution that you will find personally rewarding. Choose a resolution that inspires passion in your heart, mind and soul!
We have all heard the the same top New Year resolutions, year after year: exercise, lose weight, stop smoking, stop drinking, reduce debt, get organized, simplify life, and so on. All are wonderful resolutions that improve lives. But what if, for instance, you already exercise and you want to make exercise your resolution again. Perhaps you want to take your exercise program to the next level? That's a very positive step toward achieving 'Lifetime Resolutions'.
Exercise is one of 'my' Lifetime Resolutions. I long ago made exercise a permanent part of my life. I've learned if you want to make resolutions 'stick' you need to permanently incorporate them into your daily routine. I have a list of lifetime dreams - all the many things large and small that I hope to achieve in my lifetime. Each year when I make my New Year resolution I pick one from that list - and I work to keep it for life. That resolution is part of me, my daily existence, what makes me unique. Experts say it takes three weeks to develop a habit. When you think of turning your dreams and goals into Lifetime Resolutions - one by one, one day at a time, over a lifetime - it vastly alters the old-fashioned resolution paradigm, for the better!
When you choose resolutions that you want to pursue day after day, year after year, they become lifelong habits. Why? Because you're not simply making and keeping a resolution, only to discard it to move onto the next one on your long list of 10-20 things to do. This year, in addition to working out, my resolution is to help others to achieve their resolutions, dreams and goals. I enjoy showing up on my resolution blog each day. I'm learning, growing and helping others. My resolution is very personally rewarding. It's something that I truly want to do each and every day.
So what if you don't want to pursue one of the common resolutions in 2007? Don't despair. If you give it some thought, you will decide on a resolution that fits you. The cookie-cutter, one-size fits all mentality does not work with achieving dreams and resolutions. Your resolution needs to complement you and your lifestyle. If you're worried that it's February 1, March 1, August 1 and not January 1 - it's not too late! It's never too late! You can make and keep a resolution any day of the year. Do it today! So, how to Decide? Carve out some quiet time with your journal and ask yourself these questions:
1. If I had all the time, money, skills, knowledge in the world - what would I do? How would I spend my time? What would be important to me? Draw up your list of 3, 5, 20, 50 ideas then rank them 1-10, with 10 being the highest. Are any of the top-ranked ideas things that you want to pursue day after day in 2007? Are they things that you can 'see yourself pursuing' and permanently incorporating into your daily life? Which one inspires you enough to actually 'Do It Daily' as a Lifetime Resolution?
2. What are the top 100 things I would love to do, see, achieve, experience, feel, in my lifetime. Keep in mind, no idea, no goal, is too large or small. Have some fun with your Lifetime Dream List.
3. What are the things on my dream list that would cause 'regret' if I chose not to pursue them in my lifetime. Procrastination sends more dreams to the Goal Graveyard. Don't live a life full of regret - pursue your passions. It's much easier to motivate yourself to 'do' something that is inspiring, something about which you have great interest, desire and passion, than to choose a goal that you 'think you 'should' pursue', but know you 'won't' because the commitment just isn't there. Perhaps you 'think' you should do it, but know you won't follow through because you have no desire, or interest, and you don't envision any reward, or enjoyment.
4. Do I have regrets? The past is the past, you can't change it. But you can pro-actively write the next chapter in your life. Is it within your power to 'make things right' with any of your regrets? Give it some thought. As long as can take one more breath, you can take one more positive action. Stop being passive about your dreams and the things that are important to you. If you want to meet your soulmate, then do your homework about ways to meet like-minded singles, and put together a plan that you can passionately pursue.
5. What are the things that I 'wish' I could change about myself or my life, the things that I think about often, things that I worry about? Is 2007 the year that you want to 'make a change'? Do you want to change a habit, improve yourself, or something specific in your life?
These questions aren't scientific. They aren't going to change your life overnight and produce instant results. They can help you to brainstorm your way to the one resolution, goal or dream about which you are passionate, a dream that you can pursue with diligence and dedication in 2007.
If you don't passionately 'want to achieve it', if you don't have 'fire in the belly', if you're not willing to work hard, and discipline yourself you're probably wasting your time. You truly have to Dare To Dream, make a Decision to 'go for it', Define the 'it', Develop A Plan, and 'Do It Daily' for 20-30-minutes. Or if not daily, then spend a few hours each and every week, so that you can make steady progress toward achieving your resolution.
Achieving resolutions isn't complicated. You don't need a Ph.D. in strategic planning. It's not difficult unless you make it difficult. You probably already possess the strength, common sense, determination, passion, patience, persistence, and perseverance that's necessary to succeed.
Bottom Line: You 'do' need the right resolution. Give it some thought. Don't give up on your dreams! Remember: I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today!
Kim Simpson, a former journalist, provides communications and fundraising services and strategic planning, for Members of Congress, Non-Profit Organizations and Associations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. A self-employed entrepreneur, she launched http://www.IResolveTo.Com in 2005 in an effort to help others to achieve their New Year Resolutions, Dreams and Goals. Her motto is - I Resolve To Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year.™ Let's 'Go For It'.
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