4. Develop dated milestones. For instance, if you, like me plan to lose a pound a week, you can easily set dated milestones. Set Monday as your official weigh-in day, and record your progress. This also works for income goals, and many other types.

5. List “WHY” you want to accomplish each goal. I have a great deal of heart disease in my family history. I need to control what I can to minimize my exposure to heart ailments. Maybe you want to please your partner—or find one.

6. List who benefits from your accomplishment. Also list why you want to please them. Who is counting on you? Sometimes, this is a greater motivator than your own desires.

7. Have a partner or partners with whom you will share your progress. Every Monday, after weighing in, report to someone what weight you hoped you would have reached, and what you actually weighed. This is important Be truthful..

8. Visualize accomplishment of your goal with all of your senses. a. Sight – visualize yourself at your goal weight b. Taste – victory c. Feel – excitement at having accomplished something so big d. Hear – complements you receive for looking so good e. Smell – smell rice cakes you will never have to eat again

9. Read my e-zine weekly For inspiration, instruction, and motivation read Ordinary People Can Win!

10. Review your progress often. If you are off your milestone goal, decide if your plan needs revising. Make changes to your plan, as needed. If you were driving to work and saw that your usual route was close for construction, you wouldn't quit and go home--you'd find another way." If you are on track, give yourself pre-determined reward.

11. Include your resolutions in your prayers. I believe in praying. Ask for help—you’ll get it if you do your part, and if you ask. I know that you can have strength and abilities beyond your nature through sincere prayer.

You can make this year different. Why not try something new? If you keep doing same thing, you’ll keep getting same result. You may feel great motivation and confidence when you originally set your goal, but it’s very difficult to stay committed. With these tools, you can change that!

Define Your Boundaries

You show people how to treat you every time you interact with them.  If you allow someone to tell a joke at your expense, laughing on outside while wincing on inside, you're teaching them they can bully you.  If you allow your mate or children to leave their personal items all over house, cleaning up after them as you move through your home, you're teaching them you'll clean up after them. 

Take a few moments to decide how you'll require others to treat you.  As you do so, stay focused on respect, appreciation, and consideration you know you deserve.

Enforce Your Boundaries

The successful enforcement of interpersonal boundaries requires clear communication.  The five part model outlined below is used quite regularly in coaching industry, and will support you as you embrace your own process. 

• Inform - Clearly describe problem.
  
• Define The Unacceptable -Let other party now what about their behavior was not acceptable.
  
• Share Your Emotions - Let other person know how situation made you feel.
  
• Request The Solution You Seek - Ask other person for solution you seek.
  
• Let Them Know Their Alternatives - Let other person know what you plan to do if they won't comply with your request.

The process of setting and enforcing boundaries is not an easy one, but it will be well worth your effort.  Your ability to maintain space in your life - physically, emotionally, and mentally - will directly contribute to your developmental success.  Your inability to do so will seriously detract from growth you could experience. 

Interested in reading more, or in finding out about our programs and services?  Join our FREE newsletter community at www.compasslifedesigns.com.

This material is excerpted from "Life Fitness - Nine Steps to a Balanced Life", written by Kimberly Fulcher.  Copyright 2003.  All rights reserved. Publication Authorized Solely For Newsletter or Website Use.  Not for Resale.  Edits Not Authorized.
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