Do you have a dream? A New Year Resolution that you would truly love to achieve? You don't have to 
wait for January 1 to make your dream a reality. Why not start right now . . . why not use the crisp, sunny days of Autumn to inspire and motivate? If you make a decision today, to 'go for it' you will have 96 days in 2008 to get a jump on the New Year. You can begin racking up victories and building the necessary momentum that will get you through the cold, dark days of winter. That's when most people get stuck. Most folks create a long list of 'sins' - things they hate about themselves, and their life - and soon grown disillusioned, and give up because they didn't start with a dream, resolution, and daily goals about which they have great interest, desire and passion.
Do you have a dream that burns brightly in your heart, one to which you would gladly devote 30-minutes each and every day because it would bring great joy and reward? If the answer is "Yes!", then you stand a much greater chance of reaching the finish line.
If you are ready, start with the I Resolve To . . . Formula For Success: Begin with a grand dream such as, I would love to exercise every day for good health. Turn that dream into a one sentence resolution that clearly states what you plan to achieve and why - such as, I Resolve To . . . exercise for 30-minutes each day by walking, swimming, working out with weights, or doing Yoga, so that I can maintain my ideal weight, be healthy, happy, and fit!. Then make that dream and resolution a reality by building a long and short-range plan that enables you to achieve at least one goal - take one small step toward achieving your dream and resolution - each and every day. That's the I Resolve To Formula For Success . . .
Dream + Resolution + Daily Goals = Achievement, Joy & Reward
If you're ready to get moving, but don't know where to begin stop by my I Resolve To . . . Toolkit:
I believe in leading by example. In 2008, I made a personal commitment to 'show gratitude for all that I have and all that I am by giving back in four areas of my life':
- Walk 60 miles for the Washington, DC Breast Cancer 3-Day and raise $3000.
- Volunteer at a Virginia Horse Rescue Farm.
- Learn more about how to combat Global Warming and take action!
- Engage in PreMeditated Acts Of Kindness.
With 96 days left in the year there is plenty of time to achieve my 2008 'gratitude resolution', and keep the forward momentum going on my Lifetime Resolutions, which include health and exercise, and my resolution project (new product designs, columns, E-Books, Audio Books, and a book). Here is the status of my efforts this week, as well as a look forward:
- Thanks to the generosity of friends, family and colleagues I reached my goal of raising $3000+
for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, and my team-mate, Rosemary, has done likewise, which helped me to reach my overall goal of raising at least $5000! It's huge relief to be done with the fundraising part of this journey. I finished shopping for my gear last night and am in the process of packing for my 3-Day Walk, which is next weekend. I tried to walk as much as possible to get in shape for a 60-mile walk - last week I did a 12 mile walk, and tomorrow I'm doing a 15-20 mile walk. I think I'm ready to make the journey and am really looking forward to it! - Due to my May surgery, I've been holding off on volunteering at a Virginia Horse Rescue Farm. I'm leaning toward sponsoring a colt for a $300 contribution at a nearby horse rescue farm - Eagle Hill Farm - and lending a hand as well in October, November and December.
- I continue to move forward with my 'Give The Boot To Your Carbon Footprint' Project. I ve been re-grouping recently in an effort to research and post regularly about ways to help the environment. I am also working hard to be more conscious of conserving and recycling! I'm regularly taking plastic bottles to the recycling center and I plan to recycle magazines at the local Friends Of The Library later this month - they sell them at their book sales twice each year. Newspapers are next. The trick is to put together a system that is simple and won't take a lot of time, maybe two trips to the recycling center each month, otherwise I won't want to do it since my schedule is so full as it is.
- PreMeditated Acts of Kindness - a daily effort to be conscious about my words, gestures and actions (how I treat others and myself) is on track. It is becoming a habit to be much more conscious of what I am saying and doing - and I am trying to insert more kindness toward others into each and every day. It's time to do some brainstorming about creative ways to reach out to others, particularly around the holidays in November and December.
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit my resolution shop by clicking this link: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
Kim M. Simpson - September 27, 2008
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