New Years Resolutions

"Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day." 
Michael Josephson

On a four hour airplane ride, heading home after spending three weeks visiting my kids and grand kids, I found myself coming down from the holiday highs, tottering between quiet depression and excited anticipation.  But rather than set and stew....I decided to use my time wisely and to think and write about  my new year's resolutions.

You have made your news years resolutions, haven't you?  Actually I generally take most of January to ponder and consider the goals that I want to focus on for the year. I recently read of one particularly depressing study done by Steven Covey Institute which showed that by February, one third of us will already be termed 'losers', breaking our resolutions and throwing in the towel?   We want to do better, feel better, and be better...right? That doesn't take any motivation to want that, does it?  So why is it that so many of us fall short so soon after making our resolutions?

I think there are several reasons; Our goals are often unrealistic, they are not specific, we are not serious about them, we don't write them down, we don't hold ourselves accountable, we don't believe in the idea of setting goals, we haven't created action plans, we don't have the support we need to accomplish them, and sometimes we just have too many goals going in all different directions (like the list above).

Hmmmm to many goals goings in all different directions? I heard an interview on TV with a guy discussing the importance of focusing on one word for the year, rather than many different ideas.  Although I was only listening with a half of an ear, it resonated with me and I have continued to think about this idea.  So what if I could select one word that I want to incorporate in all of my general goals and focus on that for 2014?

I found myself making a list of words that I might choose from:  Here's what I came up with: thankful, joyful, peaceful, passionate, organized, loving, intense, genuine, determined, spiritual, creative, relaxed, positive, driven, practical, adventurous, intentional,  responsible, spontaneous, artistic, inspirational, thoughtful, helpful, sensible, innovative, nurturing, fun-loving, healthy, organized, resourceful, mindful, whimsical....

So, while soaring up at 30,000 feet and surrounded by the stars, wondering what new opportunities the heavens hold for the coming year, I was reminded that the words I say create my reality.  Why not select a word or words to continually repeat and focus on this year?  It think it kind of sounds like fun!

I'd love for you to join in as well.. Use my list for a starter and then add some words of your own. We can think about them over the week and decide which one/s we'll select.

Email me at: Smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com