If you are pursuing a dream, New Year Resolution, or series of daily goals, one surefire way to make consistent progress is to write things down and review your strategy and accomplishments on a regular basis - at least once a week. If you have a New Year Resolution, or dream that is simmering on the back burner because you lack accountability and a strategy, why not get a jump on the New Year? Get moving right now and take your first step toward daily action. In just two months, on January 1, 2009, well-intentioned people will draft a list of new habits they feel they should cultivate to promote positive change in their lives - get more exercise, lose weight, stop smoking, and pay off debt, for instance. The first mistake they make is crafting a list with too many resolutions. The second mistake is that the list does not contain resolutions that generate sustainable enthusiasm, passion, interest, and desire. Those mistakes can become a 'thing of the past' with the right resolution, system and attitude.
If you want to make 2009 different - a year filled with accomplishment, success, joy, and reward - pursue just one dream, make a promise to yourself to act daily, build a written plan, and 'Check In weekly'. Hold yourself accountable one week at a time. Personally, I check in every single day. It helps me to know what steps I need to take today, tomorrow and the next day. It also helps me to continuously brainstorm new ideas and build a strong long-range strategy. Most importantly, it keeps me accountable and on track with my daily and weekly goals. I constantly track and evaluate the goals I have completed and the goals that are beckoning from the horizon.
If you are ready to rock and roll on 2009 (a bit early), 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, and 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 - each and every day. That's the I Resolve To . . . Formula For Success . . .
Dream + Resolution + Daily Goals = Achievement, Joy & Reward
If you're not sure what to do next, consider the I Resolve To . . . System: 1) Dare To Dream; 2) Decide; 3) Define; 4) Develop A Plan, and; 5) Do It Daily. Fulfilling dreams and keeping New Year Resolutions does not have to be an impossible dream. Each year your list of resolutions doesn't have to languish - unfulfilled - somewhere on your desk. The key to changing this negative annual ritual is to 'change what you are doing', your approach, and your attitude. Don't make 10 resolutions that you feel are 'good ideas'. Instead, choose one dream that fills you with enormous passion, interest and desire. Don't flounder because you don't have a system. Instead, choose a simple, common sense system, like the five steps that I list above. Then get moving. Don't procrastinate by waiting for just the right moment. That moment may never arrive. Make a commitment and take action every single day whether you feel like it or not - one small step at a time, one day at a time. Above all be accountable to yourself, your dream, resolution and daily goals by checking in at least once each week.
Here are three good reasons why you should Check In every week (not once a month or once a year):
- Memory Is Not Perfect: If you don't create a written plan, timeline and firm deadlines - and evaluate them regularly - how will you identify progress, obstacles, or next steps?
- Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind: If you don't regularly review your plan, timeline, deadlines, and progress - action is easily delayed. You put off until tomorrow, what you should do today because your strategy is not 'literally' front and center every day and every week.
- Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome Rules Supreme If You Are Not Careful: It's hard to keep saying "Someday, I'll do that" when a goal sits on your list week after week, check-in after check-in. Keep the Someday Syndrome at bay by evaluating obstacles, progress and victories regularly. 'Wins' inspire motivation, momentum, and more victories. Admit it when procrastination is one of your obstacles and take steps to begin accomplishing your goals, starting with the easiest most achievable goal first, and working your through the harder goals one at a time.
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 - October 26, 2008
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