Ensuring Success in 2014

As we enter into a New Year, many of us will make New Year’s Resolutions.  The problem with resolutions is that less than 50% of these resolutions made by Americans actually stick by mid-year.  I encourage you to develop a vision and establish goals for the New Year rather than resolutions. Successful people have a vision and successful businesses know the value of a well-written mission statement. 

What is the difference between a resolution and a goal? 

New Year’s Resolution: A promise to yourself for the new year, usually spoken verbally and sometimes announced to others. 

A Goal: A written declaration of a desired result with a timetable and measurable outcome.

The success of an individual’s vision is more likely to be accomplished if there is a clear statement of goals ahead of time.  The same inspiration and motivation that companies have through their mission statement is the same that you need for your own ambitions.  You need to proclaim a vision and specific goals to support that vision for yourself and embrace it with enthusiasm.  Declaring something as so, brings it into existence.  The vision is spoken, the vision is proclaimed, and it will come to be as it is written.  Yes, it happens just that way!

What is a vision?  A vision is an example of moving from doing to being.  When you work on the goals (the steps toward your vision) you move from doing things to being what you envisioned.  The vision statement you create and proclaim will allow you to overcome short-term difficulties by looking at long-term possibilities. 

Vision: “I will be physically healthier”.

Identify Specific and Measurable Goals

The goals and vision are something you want, not something you don’t have.  Make affirmations (strong, positive statements) that something is already so!  What does that look like?

Instead of saying: “I need to lose 20 pounds this year!” or “I will stop eating junk food!”

Say: “I eat more vegetables each week and exercise at least 1 hour per week”. 

Notice that these statements of goals are focused on the positive.  When we make statements of what we won’t do or deprivation statements (I will not do this), it translates to a sense of loss in our brains instead of a sense of gain. Do not worry that you are not there yet.  You may not eat more vegetables yet or exercise at all, but if you make the statement as if you are already doing it...you are much more likely to become that!

Vision: “To get out of debt”

Instead of Saying: “I will stop spending money on things I don’t need”

Say: “I pay an extra $50 towards the credit card each month”

What you say is your measurable goal! You can get out of debt (vision) by paying an extra $50 each month above the minimum payment due (measurable goal).  You will have to complete the calculations ahead of time to determine whether or not you will meet your long-term goal (get out of debt by the end of the year) by creating your short-term goal (pay the extra $50/month).  If it cannot be done in a year, then you need to make adjustments to your statements.  You can get out of debt, and maybe it takes 2 years instead of 1 year.  You can get healthier, and maybe it takes 3 years for the total vision to come to pass. 

If you are realistic and write down positive, specific, measurable goals, you can experience a transformation in 2014 AND a transformation in your life!  I challenge you to start now! 

COPYRIGHT © 2013.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Transforming Traditions

Traditions are beliefs and/or customs that are passed down from generation to generation.  During this holiday season, many people can identify with traditions in the form of behaviors and events.  A few common holiday traditions in the United States include gathering together with family or friends for dinner, baking cookies, decorating the home, and exchanging gifts.  Can you identify some of your seasonal traditions?

Traditions are not only events and activities, but mindsets and behaviors.  Traditions are formed by various parties including family, culture, religious, and political entities.  These traditions are a set of norms which are formed and adopted across generations.  Just as traditions are learned, behaviors are learned.  Many behaviors in which we engage in are due to traditions in our family, culture, or society.  This is equal to our mindset.  The way in which we think is passed down as a tradition.  These traditions of mindsets and behaviors can be beneficial, but they can also be detrimental. 

The point at which a tradition becomes detrimental, rather than beneficial, to us is when we follow a tradition in a legalistic (extreme conformity) manner rather than through a true desire of our hearts.  Examining our traditions can bring transformation to our lives.  Taking inventory on "age old" traditions can reveal aspects of ourselves we have sought to change.  Transformation of traditions can create a sense of freedom.  Asking ourselves: Why do we do we do that?  Does it have to be exactly this way?  How can we change it for the better?  Taking control of our own transformation, even in the aspect of traditions (family, cultural, spiritual, behavioral, and mindsets) can relieve stress and anxiety and provide a sense of self enlightenment into other areas of our lives which may be hidden. 

Perhaps some of your traditions need to be rewritten, or perhaps the font of the traditional text can be changed.  I challenge you to examine your traditions in order to identify which  traditions in your life are beneficial for you and which ones may need some transforming.  Challenging traditions means your transformation is just around the corner!

COPYRIGHT © 2013.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Transformation in the Midst of a Storm

In life there are storms.  Storms come in many forms such as physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  Storms can feel overwhelming, chaotic, and dark.  Often in the darkest times of our lives there is difficulty to see light.  Transformation comes not in the lightest of times, but in the darkest of times.

The challenge is in seeing the light amidst the storm by filtering out the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that cloud the light.  The first step is in changing your thoughts.  Thoughts are the battle ground for emotions and behaviors.  If you can successfully change your thoughts by focusing on positives, strengths, and abilities then you can begin to change your behaviors and feelings.  Thoughts impact both feelings and behaviors.  Although they are all linked together, it is not necessary to change your feelings prior to your behaviors.

Have you ever felt like staying home from work, but you went to work anyways?  You may not "feel like" getting out of bed, but you do, because you are actively choosing to go to work.  You do not have to give into your feelings, but your thoughts will cause you to give into your feelings.  If you think, "I don't have to go to work because no one cares if I show up and I don't like my job so I will just use sick time"...then your feelings of "I don't feel like getting out of bed and going to work" will be justified and your behaviors will follow.  Changing your thoughts works in every area of your life including your relationships.  You will continue to settle for less if you believe (think) you deserve less and your feelings and behaviors will demonstrate those thoughts and beliefs.

Thinking positive thoughts is a choice.  You cannot change your feelings, but you can change your thoughts and behaviors.  Changing your thoughts leads to a change in behavior, which inevitably leads to a change in feelings.  I challenge you to try it.  Take one area of your life where you are not succeeding, where you are not happy, and evaluate your thoughts about the situation.  Write down your thoughts about it.  Then, change the language to positive, strength, ability based language.  This is where you challenge yourself to identify and speak about the positives in your situation, your strengths to overcome it, and your abilities to carry you through the storm.  When you resort to old thinking, correct it with the new language each time you have that old, negative thought.  When you confront your thoughts, you inevitably confront your behaviors, attitudes, and feelings.  You have to make a CHOICE to confront and change your thoughts and only then will you see the light of your transformation in the midst of the storm!

COPYRIGHT © 2013.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.