A Resolution Worth KeepingWritten by Deborah Martin
New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of them is usually optional. That's unfortunate, because some of pledges we make in those moments before calendar changes are wonderful things to aspire to - spending more time with our children, exercising regularly, stopping a bad habit like smoking - or considering chocolate one of main food groups. Yet, this is one time of year that it's condoned - almost expected - that we don't follow through on our promises.But what if we did follow through? What if we could make a resolution that changed our lives for better? What if we made a tiny adjustment in our perspective and it allowed us to be happier, feel freer, and enjoy a more mindful existence? Well, get ready to make a commitment - it's as easy as embracing idea of simplicity. Yes, simplicity. The start of New Year is perfect time to make some changes. Resolve to get back to basics. I'm not advocating a cabin in woods with no heat or electricity, just a small step to left of consumer frenzy. Where do you start? Right at home in your own headspace - by making a conscious decision that your time and daily experiences are more important than money and stuff. Reduce your clutter: Unless you use it regularly, or it holds a high degree of sentimental value, it should go. Choose a charity and schedule a pick up. Just think of how much easier your house will be to clean, and how much easier it will be to find things once you've thinned out your belongings. Decrease distractions: Cell phones, voice mail, two-way walkie-talkies, online instant messenger, and palm pilots are all tools created for convenience. Left unchecked, however, they can start running your life. Be sure your not becoming a slave to advanced technology. Oh, and turn off that darn TV too. Learn to say "no": This tiny two-letter word is your best defense against becoming overextended. Start using it - no one will think any less of you if you do.
| | Turning Dreams Into RealityWritten by Eric Plantenberg
Welcome to 2005! The New Year has arrived, and for most people, this is most appropriate time of year to stop and evaluate your goals and objectives for next 12 months. You enthusiastically look ahead, resolving to make great improvement in all areas of your life. I am going to share some helpful ideas to help you turn your hopes, wishes, and dreams into your future reality. Goals and buildings have several characteristics that are very similar. If a building is engineered properly, and built with structural integrity; when storms blow, building stands; when earth shakes, building stands. If a building lacks that structural integrity, storms force is likely to reduce it to rubble. Your goals are same way. If they are engineered with proper dynamics in place; when adversity strikes, your goals will stay clear; when unexpected happens; you will adapt and move closer to your objective.There are Five Characteristics of Effective Goals, that if you follow to a tee, you are guaranteed to come out ahead. Your Goals Must Be: 1. Meaningful to You This may seem obvious, but it is important to evaluate. Is goal you are setting really important to you? Or is it really more important to your manager, or your company, or your friends or spouse, or are you simply bending to social pressures. For you to achieve a goal in any area of your life, it is vital that you are perfectly clear why that outcome is important to you and why you will be willing to make sacrifices needed for its accomplishment. 2. Specific and have a Due Date This is main difference between your dreams and wishes, and your goals. To transform something from a wish to a goal you need to become specific about what you are setting out to accomplish, and make commitment to complete your task by a certain date. There is a big difference between wishing that you were debt free, and setting goal to have zero credit card debt by November 1st. For a goal to be specific, it must have a quantifiable number attached to it. A wish is to loose weight; a goal is to loose 15 pounds by May 1st. A wish is to increase your sales; a goal is to increase your sales by 17%. A wish to stop smoking; a goal is to smoke ZERO cigarettes after January 30th.
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