Are you tired of making new year’s resolutions that go unfulfilled year after year? Can you envision a life where no resolutions are needed, and you stay on track day in and day out? It is possible for you and I will tell you how. Read on!
Granted, as the year comes to an end and a new year begins, this is a time to reflect. A time to rejoice on the achievements of the year and mourn the failures and disappointments of things that didn’t go as planned.
It is a time to make fresh vows and resolutions for the year ahead and shift our focus from what did not work to what will work. Towards efforts that will yield results.
As you make your list of new year resolutions, take a close look at the items and notice how many of them are repeats from years past: lose those stubborn last 10 pounds, go to the gym every day, have a better relationship with your parents, partner and children, quit smoking–this time for good.
Why should we have to make the same resolutions every single year? To fail at our greatest desires and having to start over and over again?
Imagine if your life continuously progressed according to plan. Living on course every moment.
I have a secret for you… There is only one resolution you need to make that will transform your life–forever. BE AWARE!
Living with awareness, essentially, paying attention at all times, is all you need to live the life of your dreams.
Awareness is the best gift you can give to yourself.
With an aware mindset, you can keep your focus on the prize while you dissolve the obstacles that block you from achieving your deepest desires.
Once you make a habit of practicing awareness, writing a list of new year’s resolutions will become a thing of the past and living the dream your default state.
How do you begin?
Instead of writing your list and just posting it on the refrigerator, I invite you to take inventory of those resolutions that you made in the past that keep coming up year after year.
Ask yourself … why didn’t I accomplish these goals? Fear of failure? Fear of success? Limiting beliefs? Self-doubt? Lack of discipline? Lack of support? You have your reasons.
Get to the root of your failures. Identify the self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors that stop you dead in your tracks when you’re about to make a breakthrough. Then tackle them head on!
As you encounter situations that interfere with the achievement of your goals, this 4-step action plan will help:
- Stop;
- Notice your feelings;
- Identify your triggers; and
- Take corrective action: replace negative thoughts and behaviors with thoughts and actions that support your desires.
Here’s some examples of how you can put them in practice:
- You’ve vowed to lose weight this year. As you’re about to put that donut in your mouth, stop and think… Am I really hungry? Why do I want this donut? Am I stressed out? Lonely? Reacting to an unpleasant event? What positive action can help me obtain the feelings of well-being I am seeking from the short-lived pleasure of the Krispy Kreme?
Then put the donut down and take that alternative action. Meditate for a few minutes. Do a few yoga poses. Call an uplifting friend.
If you gave in to the donut already, don’t punish yourself. Have an action plan to counterattack the craving next time it hits and commit to it. Then take a brisk walk or do jumping jacks to dissolve the post-donut remorse and burn some calories.
- If improved relationships are your goal, pay close attention to your interactions with others, whether they’re friends, family or colleagues. Be present when you’re together and avoid reacting to things they say and do. Respond with kindness from your higher self.
If you uttered hurtful or careless words, step back and reflect. Realize the words did not come out right and apologize sincerely.
Observe what kinds of situations push your buttons. Acknowledge your propensity to speak or act without thinking and catch yourself next time you’re in a similar position.
With practice, you should be able to master situations that could get you into trouble.
- Is this the year you’re determined to make your lifetime dream come true? Perhaps it’s something you’ve never done before and may not have the advantages or experience possessed by others who’ve done it already.
What do you do when you hit a bump on the road? Is your first reaction to quit? Do you tell yourself you don’t know what you’re doing so you might as well give up before you’ve invested too much into it? Do you think you’re not good enough?
Listen carefully to your inner chatter. What do you tell yourself? Do these messages serve you? Are they even true?
Replace these negative thoughts with positive affirmations. And then take a small, sure step towards reaching your goal. How about: “I can do this.” “I am perfectly equipped to fulfill my destiny.”
Then take some inspired action, perhaps buying a book or taking a course that will provide you with the know-how necessary to perform the next tasks with confidence. Or look for a mentor who can show you the ropes and support you with encouragement and expertise.
The key is taking instant corrective action and not berating yourself when you mess up. Taking baby steps towards achieving your goals instead of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task.
Do this for every area of your life that is important to you: health, relationships, career, personal growth–you have your own set of priorities. Honor them!
In the beginning you may need to sit down and review your progress every couple months or weeks. But this is a process that you can master and gets easier with time and practice.
Before you know it, practicing awareness will become second nature and you will live your life consciously with little effort.
Inhabiting in a state of awareness doesn’t mean you won’t have problems again. But it will provide you with the tools to fix the hiccups as they come up, rather than throwing in the towel at the first sign of adversity.
You will find yourself achieving your goals, growing as a person and deliberately creating the life that, up to now, was only a fantasy.
What resolutions keep coming up on your annual list? What obstacles have kept you from achieving them? What strategies have helped you overcome some of these obstacles?
What goals will you accomplish this year?
May the year bring you the fulfillment of your innermost dreams and desires!
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