Decide
|
by Mary Bigler Quote
"
Nothing happens until you decide."
--Dr.
Stanley Turecki
I found the above quote featured in an Oprah magazine article. Very
meaningful at this time of year as we think about
setting New Year resolutions.
[Webster
defines it as fixed and firm in purpose.]
There
are a few important reasons I think most of us fail,
repeatedly, in sustaining the positive changes we
seek.
#1
Your
resolution doesn't align with something you
value.
You
set a goal without much thought to where it fits
in with the things important to achieving a satisfying
life.
#2
You
lack clarity about what it takes to be successful
as you've probably set the same goal more than once
without achieving it.
#3
You
haven't made a Firm commitment and allowed sufficient
time to make change stick.
You
often become impatient and expect easier results.
When it doesn't happen according to your expectations,
you quit, often berating yourself for failing, Again.
I
have a short exercise to help you make the successful
changes you desire.
*
Draw a circle with 6-8 wedges.
This
will be yor Life Wheel or Life-Scape.
Include
those things that are most important to you, things
that will bring you joy, fulfillment, peace, ease,
etc. when they are present in your life.
These
are things of tremendous value to you and life feels
incomplete without them.
For
example, some of mine include having fun in every
aspect of my life; enjoying fulfilling work; personal
expansion; being fully connected to my spiritual,
intuitive self; having radiant health; and enjoying
my wonderful, cozy home which reflects my interests
and passions.
Life
is more frustrating, dull and lacking joy when any
of these areas is neglected.
*
Next be very clear about what would be ideal for each
wedge.
Maybe
you want radiant health. What would radiant health
include?
How
will you know when you've achieved that? Be specific.
-regularly
feeling more energetic?
-having
a slimmer body?
-including
regular activity into each day? How much?
-consistently
making better food choices (more fruits, vegies, whole
grains)?
Rate
from 0-10 where you are right now compared to where
you want to be in each area.
You
might want to choose for your resolution an area that
rates fairly low compared to the others.
Figure
out Exactly what it will take to improve the situation.
Are
you ready to take the required actions?
Be
honest. No Buts.
If
not ready to commit, choose another area to focus
on.
Oprah
often speaks of having been stuck in a weight trap
of yo-yo dieting for decades. It all changed when
she made the decision to "...stop wishing, hoping,
wanting, wanting, wanting to be better. Instead I
figured out what it would really take to improve my
life. Then I decided to do it."
It's
YOUR turn.
**
DECIDE on what you want. It must align with what matters
most to you.
**
Place your FULL attention on whichever actions will
improve this area.
**
COMMIT to the actions until you get the results you
want. Stay the course.
The
GOOD news is that when one area improves, it cannot
help but spill over and ignite positive change in
other areas as well.
P.S.
Gotta
say "GO PACKERS" as I'm deliberately and fully
enjoying every moment of each game watching Brett Favre
connect with and live his passion. Powerful stuff!
I
wish you the same connection to what lights you up.
Have
a splendid Holiday season.
Mary Bigler is a Life Coach specializing in the universal principles of Attraction. She is an experienced workshop and teleclass leader for those journeying along a path of self-discovery and personal expansion. Mary loves to see people tap into their ability to live life fully engaged, vibrant and full of all they dream about Being/Doing/Having. She most enjoys helping people become deliberate creators of their life experiences. |