A new year brings new possibilities, new choices and new hope for the future. That’s why we tend to think about lifestyle changes in the New Year. Here are some tips to help you actually keep your New Years Resolutions you make this year…

 1. KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETIE.

Apply the KISS principle so you don’t get carried away with setting down a resolution you have no chance of fulfilling. Keep your resolutions simple so you can achieve them.

2. Be choosy

Agreeing to a New Year’s Resolution just because someone told you that you should is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, think about what you really want to change and your chances for success are much greater.

3. Set realistic goals

Sure, you want to lose 25 pounds in a week, but it is an unrealistic expectation. Realistically look at what you can actually strive to achieve within the timeframe and set these milestones in place.

4. Tell People Your plans

Tell friends and family about your New Year’s Resolution. Broadcast your plans and goals to others as a way of helping firm up your decisions in your own mind. Doing so tends to help you stay accountable too.

5. Educate yourself

Talk to others and research in order to learn how others have successfully made the change you desire. This will help you to avoid pitfalls and build realistic expectations.

6. Avoid the same ol’ resolutions

If you’ve resolved to lose 10 pounds year after year, well I would say it’s high time you made a different resolution. Instead, maybe make a decision to exercise three times a week. This may well help you accomplish the same results, but it frames your lifestyle change a little differently.

7. Break your resolution into achievable tasks

Rather than focusing on one big life-altering change, choose to focus on r smaller, more attainable changes that you can track and accomplish more easily.

8. Develop Your action plan

Once you have determined the steps you need to take to fulfill your resolution, decide your plan of attack, what it is you will do first. Then do it!

9. Don’t expect overnight results

Habits and behaviors take at least 30 days to form, so you must be patient and expect gradual, rather than immediate, results.

10. Don’t get stressed!

Change, even when for the better, can be stressful. We are all creatures of habit and stepping out of our comfort zones can create anxiety, so try not to allow stress to get the better of you.

11. Find an accountability partner

Having a friend or family member who will hold you accountable for your actions is vital. Ask someone you trust if they will support you to stay on track.

12. Obtain support from others

It doesn’t matter what change you wish to make there will undoubtedly be a support group to support it.  Search for one in your community to help you reach your goals.

 13. Let your enthusiasm show!

Look at the changes you’re making as an adventure, and approach with enthusiasm and zest. Visualize how you will feel when you’ve reached your goal. The journey can be as much fun as the destination!

 14. Look at the pros and cons of your decision

Be prepared for both the positive and negative outcomes of your decision so there are no surprises.

 15. Be prepared for setbacks

Honestly there will be days when your good intentions fly out the window and you return to old habits. Don’t give up!   It’s like riding a horse, when you fall, get back on the horse again and keep going.

 16. Prepare in advance

Give your subconscious sufficient time to adjust to the change so it doesn’t come as such a shock to your system. You’re more likely to succeed when you prepare in advance.

 17. Reward yourself!

Look for appropriate ways to reward yourself after every milestone is achieved. This will build momentum because you will be looking forward to the next reward.

 18. Set a deadline

Set yourself a timeframe in which to achieve your desired goal.

Give yourself plenty of time to realistically reach your goal, but plan for a specific end date to work toward.

 19. Set a limit

Too often we make too many New Year’s Resolutions that we have no hope of achieving. Just work on one or two resolutions at a time. This will help you to focus without feeling overwhelmed.

 20. Track your progress

This works especially well when you split your resolution into small, manageable tasks. Create a chart of your progress so you can see exactly how far you’ve come with each step you’ve taken.

21. Use positive self-talk

Tell yourself that you can achieve your goals and that you will succeed regardless of setbacks. When you do this, you’ll begin to both consciously and subconsciously believe in yourself.

 22. Write Out your resolutions

Writing your goals and desires on paper has a strong affect on your psyche. It firms up your intentions and helps you focus more clearly. Take the time to write down your goals, step-by-step, to best achieve your resolutions.

 23. Visualize the results

Imagine yourself after you’ve achieve your goal. What do you look like? How do you feel ? Spend a few minutes every day visualizing your success and you’ll be amazed at how much quicker and easier your goals will be to accomplish!

 24. Make the choice

You’ve talked about the change. You’ve made the resolution. Now firmly decide that will you stick with it —even when it’s not comfortable or convenient. You can do it if you choose to!

 25. Hang in there. never give up!

The going may, indeed, get tough. You may have discouraging days. You may feel like quitting. But if you’ve made the conscious decision to change, keep plugging away!

 By applying these strategies to your New Years Resolution, you will give yourself a great start to a wonderful New Year. May your New Year be filled with happiness, love, and the change you desire!

Building Self-Discipline

Usually when we hear the word “self-discipline,” we relate it to things like losing weight or quitting smoking. Self-discipline is extremely helpful when trying to break those bad habits, but it can also be beneficial in other areas of your life.

It is important to realize that we are not born with self-discipline; it is something we must develop as we grow. Generally it begins with teaching from our parents, however it is a personal thing that we must all be responsible for.

Once we develop our self-discipline so many things in life can be achieved. Sounds easy?  Well personally, I can only say that some days I believe I have mastered self-discipline and other days I havent! It takes inner strength and perserverance to push through those tough times and stay focused on your goal. Grab a copy of Brian Tracy’s book, The Miracle of Self-Discipline” where he talks about obtaining and maintaining the discipline to get going and keep going. Well worth it, especially when you are at a low and feel like giving up on your goal.

When we master the art of self-disciple we will then develop an unshakeable focus in purpose! Firstly you must be committed, really committed to reaching your goals. You cannot and I mean cannot entertain a negative thought, an excuse or any doubts whatsoever.  You must be brutally honest with yourself and know that whatever it is you want to see it through to the very end.  Desire alone will not get you there.  Call upon your inner strength, as self-discipline is all about perserverance and inner strength will get you past those challenging moments, those times where you feel like giving up. If you are getting off track your inner strength will get you focused and committed again.

We all have inner strength and most of us have used it on more than one occasion. Trust this inner strength and remember to ask for support from family and friends. Gaining self -discipline to achieve a goal is a big undertaking and sometimes you will feel overwhelmed. Entrust a friend, spouse, or parent with what you’re trying to accomplish and they can be there to support you when your self-discipline is waning, to give you that gentle push to keep going.

If you have the self-discipline to stop smoking for one week, that is excellent, but the only way you are going to build upon your self-discipline is to do whatever is necessary to avoid cigarettes today, tomorrow, and forever. Once you develop patterns of self-discipline they soon become a habit! Everyone of us has something we want to achieve in life, but we sometimes lack the self-discipline to do so.

Remember to practise self-discipline techniques every day staying focused and committed on your goal, go the extra mile when you have to, and call on help through the tough times.

By MaryAnn Roche.

Tags: Brian Tracy, committment, focus, Goal Setting, inner strength, motivation, perserverance, Procrastination, Self-Discipline

Applying the Law of Attraction

I guess it’s a topic everyone has all heard about by now.  How could you not, remember what a splash “The Secret” made a few years ago?  I don’t know that anyone living and breathing didnt hear about it!  The funny thing is, is was all about the Law of Attraction, which really is nothing new right?  Well, if its nothing new then why do so many of us either ignore it, or just fail to incorporate it into our daily lives?

I suppose to do so would mean that we must firstly understand what the Law of Attraction is and how we can utilize it. It really is a simple and easy concept – negative attracts negative and positive attracts positive.  How difficult is that to understand?  Easy isnt it. Well perhaps it is a little more involved -in that the universe knows our subconscious mind and delivers things according to our thoughts. If we are wanting good things in our lives such as peace, happiness, success etc, then we simply need to give thanks for all the good things we currently have. We must be truly grateful for what we have right now and profess our thanks for this on a daily basis. To do so begets more of  the same.

Of course we all have times when its difficult to escape those negative thoughts and feelings, and often times when we are overworked, tired and stressed, it really is too easy to allow those negative thoughts to permeate.  However its moments such as these when it is even more important to focus on the positive and give thanks for all the little things we take for granted. According to the principles of the Law of Attraction, redirecting these feelings immediately attracts more of the positive into our lives.

Imagine you are standing in line at the supermaket, you have had a long and taxing day and this really is the last thing you want to be doing, before you have to go home and face the kids and actually cook dinner!  Difficult to see the positive in that situation isnt it?  Not really.  Give thanks for the fact that your work allows you to buy the food for your children, and imagine how happy they will be when you walk through the front door.

Lastly and the single most important lesson in the Law of Attraction:  Ask for what you want. Honestly it is that simple that we forget.  We actually have to voice what it is we actually want.  We all waste so much time talking about what we dont want, and of course in doing so, we simply attract more of the same. If you want a great relationship or you want happy children, a well paid job etc, you can actually have all that you want but you must ask for it and give thanks for all that you currently have.  If you would like to learn more about applying the law of attraction,Click Here!

When asking for what you want, you have to visualize yourself having it already.  Although its difficult to do and does take practice you have to actually live as though you already have whatever it is you want, taste the tastes or smell the smells etc as this will feed through to your subconscious. If love is what you want in your life, you must visualize yourself experiencing it. Laughing and smiling, enjoying things with someone special etc.

The funny thing about the Law of Attraction is you just can’t fake it, our subconcious is a very powerful tool that can provide us with all that we want in our lives if we just use it correctly.  Imagine how happy you are, the smiles on your faces, and enjoying things together.

* Just remember that you must request this sincerely.

By MaryAnn Roche.

Tags: happiness, Law Of Attraction, peace, positive attitude, Success

Self Discipline Be the Course Master

You can become your own course master with self discipline and find the control and focus you need to be successful.

Self-discipline is the ability to do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and reach your goals, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. It may involve saying: “no” to things you want or saying: “yes” to things you hate, but with the power of self discipline, it becomes easier to stand up for yourself.

Self discipline is a powerful attribute to have, yet challenging to obtain.

Most individuals would love to be more self-disciplined, yet very few people actually take action to acquire it.

Perhaps you start your day with good intentions, but veer off as the day progresses due to challenging issues, stresses, or distractions. Thankfully, there are some strategies you can incorporate into your daily life so you can become a master of self-discipline and stay on task.

Follow these techniques to strengthen your self-discipline:

1. Be committed to the cause.

Are you truly unhappy being undisciplined? Is this something that you’re committed to improving? Many times people claim they want to be more self- disciplined, but the truth is, they honestly don’t mind being the way they are.

* Be honest with yourself. If this is something that you definitely want to improve in your life, it may take a bit of time and effort, but it can be done.

* The only way you’ll succeed is by staying committed to the cause.

2. Write it down.
The process of writing your ideas and goals helps you clarify the thoughts in your mind so you can come up with an action plan that you can stick to.

* Write down all the areas that you wish to improve – your finances, relationships, career, or anything in between.

Include what changes you would like to see and how you believe will be the best way to make it happen.

3. Enlist the help of others.

It’s absolutely wonderful that you’ve committed to make a positive change in your life, but don’t keep it under wraps. Tell others that you want to make a change and boost your self-discipline.

* Don’t be ashamed that you weren’t more self-disciplined from the beginning. The important thing is that you’re now taking positive action! Those who love you will be there to support you and help you celebrate your successes.

* Your support group can also help you get through the bad days and put you back on track to achieve your goals.

4. Believe in yourself.

Have faith in yourself and know that if you can master your self-discipline, you can do anything! There will be both good and bad days, but as long as you remain focused and committed, you’ll be successful in strengthening your self-discipline.

* Remember to focus on the big picture and concentrate on how your body, mind, and energy will change for the better when you stay committed.

Many people admire those who are self-disciplined. These people can stay on a schedule and never seem to lose focus on what they need to accomplish.

They make more wise decisions, take action when they need to, and achieve their goals with relative ease. Implement these strategies into your daily life and they’ll soon become habits. You can be the course master of your own self discipline, it can become your way of life – if you want it!

Tags: Course Master, Self-Discipline

Goals, Set and Forget?

My regular readers know that each month I have a goal setting weekend and it’s this weekend!
My own opinion says that goal setting is something that should be continually tweaked, just like anything else!

So, I have decided to write and remind you about goal setting and give you a few more tips to help you out, before I turn off the computer today and get on with my plans.

No matter where you are in life you can use your current place as a starting point for great success. All you need to do is learn how to set clear, concise, and actionable goals that push you forward and build momentum.

Keep these Goal Setting Strategies in mind:

1. SHOOT FOR THE MOON

Define greatness, challenge the limits, double the goal, or try something new…These are just some of the sentiments that put our plans into action and move us towards revolutionary results.

Look around and witness the very essence of commonplace activities being tested and re-imagined. Such as schools re-defining Physical Education by bringing in activities ranging from kickboxing to more esoteric offerings like tai chi and Yoga

Raising the bar on a project can simply mean taking one extra step, having an allegiance to a weird idea, or devoting to a regular practice.

Get the Secrets of Success – Click Here!
Commit to a goal in a meaningful way, personalize it & make it your own, and then watch an otherwise sleepy project wake up and give way to a new found energy, creativity and distinction .
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

– challenge the limits
– double the goal
– raise your standards,values or beliefs
– make it a game
– create a regular practice

2. SHOW ME THE SHORTCUT

Sometimes a goal deserves a break. TIME MAGAZINE reported that after 8 hours of sleep you’d be more than twice as likely to find a shortcut for solving a problem.

Suggesting that taking it easy is good for the brain, and what’s good for the brain is good for the overall psyche and soul. Are you doing too much, not getting nourished and being exhausted? Well perhaps its time to consider another path. Don’t re-invent the wheel.

Get the Secrets of Success – Click Here!
Pick up a book written by an expert, join a group that’s geared around your project, sign up for an informational newsletter , or ask someone to buddy up & help. For instance, if I was writing a screen-play and struggling with a self imposed deadline, I could simplify my project just by signing up for a writing class.

What with weekly writing tasks & in-class exercises this alone would expedite the development of my script. Another over looked short cut is to consider smaller steps.

The smaller the increments the easier the goal. Deng Ming-Dao, writes in EVERYDAY TAO, An inch in one direction, then an inch in another already makes a span of 2 inches. Gradually we can improve on that. Go the path of least resistance, it’s a gift of energy.

– don’t reinvent the wheel-find someone who’s done it before
– keep to minimum daily standards
– slow down or change the pace
– the smaller the increments the easier the goal
– write everything down–loose ideas vs. lost ideas


3. FOCUS ON SUCCESS

Beginning with the end in mind is the power of imagination . If you are the programmer, write the program, says, goal expert- Stephen R. Covey.

Goals help us to focus, and the quality of our attention is enhanced by a having a project so cool and interesting that we can’t help but make a leap.

Let’s say, you want to organize your workspace so that everyone is inspired to do their best work. The in-between steps: like ergonomic concerns & planning comfortable lighting, in-and-of itself can seem mundane, but joined together they name a bigger accomplishment and by doing so, asks us to spice up our expectations & upgrade who we are.

Focus on success & keep in mind how you want things to end up and you’ll soon be successful.

– name the accomplishment
– what needs to be done by when
– give your project a title
– identify upbeat reasons for pursuing the goal

Goal Setting Made Easy

You need to remember that you will be constantly setting new goals for yourself throughout your life. Many people become discouraged because they feel that every time they reach one goal, they still have even more work in front of them.

Unless you want to reach a goal and stand still for the rest of your life, it is a good thing to always be setting and revising your goals! Doing this means that you will continue to move forward, become a better person, and accomplish greater things.

When setting goals, you should take a moment to envision where you will be and what you will be doing in a month, six months, a year, five years, and ten years.

Get the Secrets of Success – Click Here!
A problem that many people have is that they set huge goals for five years from now. Although it is great to have lofty goals, if they are too ambitious you may feel easily intimidated or discouraged.

For this reason, you need to set small goals all along the way so you can continue to motivate yourself and build momentum. Short-term goals are just as important as long-term goals, and this is one of the most important things that you should keep in mind when setting goals.

Create goals for yourself every few months so that when you reach them, you will feel accomplished and excited to reach the next goal. These shorter-term goals are like stepping stones; they will keep you excited about the future and push you forward in moments of doubt or frustration.

Effective Goal Setting Techniques

Many people falsely believe the goals they set are far out of reach. Be like Nike and Just Do It! Spend some time goal setting and then get to work on achieving your dreams.

By using these simple strategies and tools you can implement a great plan that will help you accomplish more and get more of what you want in life! Start setting goals today!

Don’t forget to revisit your goals and reassess the situation regularly – that’s what this weekend, once a month is for with me! Talk to you later

Tags: Goal Setting, goals, Setting Goals