The new year is here; have your thoughts turned to setting New Year`s resolutions? As a business who is centred around helping others create change, we find January to be the most exciting time of year! It`s time to wipe the slate
clean and start anew. It`s time to leave the old and turn your thoughts to creating change. If you`ve set resolutions in the past, only to find your enthusiasm fading a few days into January, there are simple steps you can take to make this year different. Transform your resolutions into realities with our simple step-by-step strategies.
Tap Into What You Really Want
Is your typical resolution list a list of things you should do rather than a list of things you want to do? Give yourself permission to dream about what you really want. Maybe you’ve grown tired about the clutter in your home, or the stress of the morning routine as you and your family race around looking for homework papers, backpacks or something clean to wear. Or, perhaps you`re wishing for a new job, or you dream of eating healthier or getting into shape. Regardless of the nature of your resolution, the first step in making it a reality is to listen to those little whispers (or loud shouts!) that are telling you what you really want.
Focus on Fewer Things to Create Lasting Change
If your New Year’s Resolution list typically looks like a laundry list of every single thing you’d like to change about yourself and your life, try a new approach this year. Focus on just one or two meaningful things. You’ll create results more quickly and those results are more likely to stick. Your mantra? Fewer things. More results.
Decide to Do It!
Once you’ve created your list of things you want, the next step is to decide that you’re going to do it! Deciding is the difference between saying ‘I wish I was more organized’ and ‘I am getting more organized’. Once you’ve decided to do it, cement your decision by doing something that shows your commitment. Tell a friend about your resolution. By deciding, and then going public with your decision, you’ll motivate yourself to take action.
Give Yourself Permission to Ask for Help
We know this is a tough one, but asking for help is truly an empowering thing to do. So if you don’t have all the answers about how to accomplish your goal, or there’s something that you know for sure is standing in the way, reach out for the resources, ideas and people you need to get moving. Help comes in many forms. You could research ideas online, read a book, take a class, ask a friend for help, work with a coach or mentor. Regardless of the form of support you choose, you will get where you want to be more quickly and you’ll enjoy the process more , too.
Take Action Now!
Here’s another mantra for you: Action Creates Change! So the sooner you begin taking steps in the direction of your goal, the sooner you’ll cross the finish line. So, why not start right now? You don’t have to figure out every single detail before you get started. Instead, figure out one or two steps you could take, and just take them. As you move forward, you’ll create momentum and enthusiasm, which means all the steps to come become easier and easier to take. By taking action, you will gain confidence, and the next steps forward will become easier to accomplish.
Build Your Goal Into Your Schedule
Regardless of the goal you’re after, you’re going to be (much, much!) more likely to achieve it if you make it part of your regular routine. Decide when you will work on your organizing projects, or go to the gym or search for that new, fulfilling job, and then schedule to fit it in to your regular routine. As you consider the changes you’d like to make in 2012, whether it’s to get organized or go after another goal, carve out the time in your schedule to make it happen.
So there you have it, six simple and effective techniques you can use to transform your resolutions into reality for 2012! We hope you use them to create exciting positive change in your life in the months ahead. We wish you the happiest of new years and much success on the journey to your goals.Copyright © 2013 Organizing Lives ® All rights are reserved and no part of this article may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means unless expressly stated otherwise, or except with the written permission of Organizing Lives®.