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Successful
New Year’s Resolutions
As the year comes to a close, most of us spend some
time reflecting on the past year. We may reflect on our achievements
and what we wanted to accomplish but didn’t find the time or
discipline to create. Many of us set up intentions or resolutions for
the approaching New Year and a lot of us fail to meet these for
various reasons. The following tips have proven helpful for myself and
many of my clients that I have coached through cleanse, diet and
nutritional health programs.
Detailed & Clear Intentions
Often I see people set up goals and intentions in a
very general manner. For example, their goal is that they want to save
additional money next year. This type of unspecific goal is usually
not effective because it is not clearly defined or realistic. In this
case, it is much more effective to define a very clear and detailed
budget for the next year. For example, one might determine that
cutting out the afternoon Starbuck trips for coffee and putting that
extra money in their savings could give them the additional savings
they desire.
Take Small, Reachable Steps
I have discovered the best way to succeed is to keep
resolutions and goals realistic and within reach. It should be a
“slightly uncomfortable stretch” like in yoga, where you want to
lengthen and challenge the muscle in the stretch, but you don’t want
to injure the muscle by pushing too hard. Whether your goal is losing
weight, spending more time with your family, eating healthier or
having more time for yourself, “the journey of a thousand miles still
does begin with one step.” For example, if weight loss is the goal, it
is better to begin by cutting out a few of the foods that tend to put
on the weight rather than go onto an extreme weight loss, deprivation
diet that is too difficult to stick with. Once you have succeeded in
cutting out the first set of foods, then your next step gets easier
because you have already succeeded in your first step. You know you
can continue because you already reached your first step goal.
Reward Yourself in Positive Ways When New Goals
are Reached
Finding positive reinforcements and substitutes for
old habits is also helpful. You need to clarify what benefits you
obtain from your new, healthier habits and then reward yourself for
achieving them. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier and you
have successfully cut out certain “junk foods” for a week or month,
then you need to reward yourself in a positive and rewarding way. This
could be splurging for a therapeutic massage or a gourmet (healthy)
dinner out. It could be just about anything positive, as long as you
view it as a positive reward. It is very important to acknowledge and
celebrate each of your small steps of progress.
Chart your progress
It is also helpful to keep some kind of written
record of your progress. It helps to be able to look back at all the
successful steps you have taken. This can be noted on a calendar or
journaling a few sentences each day can be inspiring as well. When
your current step has successfully been accomplished, it is time to
celebrate. Then it is time to decide and write down your next small
step.
Support: Giving & Receiving
There is true power in numbers and a support person
or group is always a big help in achieving resolutions and goals. I
have also discovered a powerful way to help you achieve a new and
challenging goal is to help someone else achieve a similar resolution
or goal. When you are challenged with your new goal, simply helping
another to define and achieve their goal can give you the clarity and
motivation to accomplish yours as well. Also, it is always okay and
recommended to ask for help when you need it.
Make Time for You Every Day
Many people do not achieve their resolutions and
goals because they allow themselves to become overwhelmed and stressed
by their lives. By committing to a set amount of time for yourself
each day, you can reflect on your progress, and stay centered and
focused. For some, this is a meditation or prayer time, a walk in
nature, yoga, Tai Chi, a mineral bath with music, journaling or simply
retreating into your bedroom and putting a sign on your bedroom door
that says “Time Out.” The key is to commit to a certain amount of time
every day for yourself and stick to it. I have found when I do this, I
am much more productive and present in all areas of my life. I feel in
control of my life, instead of life’s circumstances and situations
controlling me.
May this New Year bring you more
of what you truly desire and more time to do it,
one (conscious) step at a time.
Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH, is the founder and
president of Christine’s Cleanse Corner, Inc. a nutritional health
company in San Diego, CA She is also a Clinical Nutritionist,
Herbalist, author of “The Cleanse Cookbook”, editor of the “Transform
Your Health” e-newsletter and a Nutritional Coach – she has coached
thousands of clients through cleanse, diet and nutritional programs.
Her web site is
www.TransformYourHealth.com where her health newsletters can be
accessed, and her office number is 858-673-0224. |
