8 RESOLUTIONS WORTH KEEPING (c) 2004 Shawn Driscoll, Succeed CoachingWell, it’s that time again…time to wrap up another year and chart our course for next. We are, of course, naturally drawn to create resolutions as we enter into a new calendar year. There’s something exciting and encouraging about a fresh start. But, resolutions have also become an albatross around our necks…those great intentions trampled, year after year, under comings and goings of daily life.
What if this year you resolved to do things that were so worth doing, you wouldn’t struggle in least? Sure, working out 2 hours a day at gym and eating only tuna and lettuce might get you a smaller waistline, but how much fun will it be? How much happier will it make you? And how much effort will it take to get there? My personal resolution is to freely live in present…to have fun, laugh, smile and find joy in life I have worked to hard (through decades of other resolutions!) to create. So here’s my list of resolutions worth making. What are yours?
Resolve to: 1. STOP Setting Yourself Up for Failure Somehow, resolutions have become perfect opportunity to set ourselves up for failure. We choose goals that we don’t really want, or aren’t really willing to do work required, and then berate ourselves when we fail to accomplish them. Really, why bother? Simply refuse to set any resolution, goal, or intention that you’re not convinced you will accomplish.
2. Become more willing How willing are you to receive good that comes into your life? Do you willingly accept compliments by taking them in and saying a gracious thank you? Do you willingly accept offers of help without saying “thanks, but no thanks”? And how about opportunities? Are you open to new opportunities and insights or do you resist them when they appear because it’s just too much effort? Become more willing to accept good that comes into your life and see how much easier life can get.
3. STOP tolerating Really, it is a choice. You can absolutely decide to be a toleration-free zone. What are you putting up with in your life? What are you willing to do about it? Write up a list and set it aside. My guess is that by end of February you’ll have naturally tackled 50% of list without even realizing it--simply because you’ve decided to stop tolerating things. And, you’ll feel super energized!
4. Start each day with a FUN agenda Ask yourself each morning…what’s going to be fun about today? If answer is nothing, make a plan. Really, what are we waiting for anyway?