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Foundaiton Formation Month

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Foundation Formation Month

How to set successful New Years Resolutions

What happens if you build a house on a foundation of sand? It will eventually wash away during storms. Throughout life we face storms of adversity that challenge us. We either get torn down over the years or stand strong and let the storms build our character.

January is what I call a “foundation formation month.” Although a house can be replaced, our lives are not so expendable. There is no dress rehearsal for life. Once a day passes, we can’t get it back— it’s nothing but a memory. You can’t build a strong foundation by saying “I should’ve...” or “I wish I...”

Often, we start the New Year with all the right intentions. “This year I swear I’ll lose those extra pounds.” “This year, I promise to get straight A’s.” Or "I’ll be more punctual.” But then, the year slips out from beneath our feet and we’re busy saying, “What happened!?” Have you ever been there? I sure have.

I didn’t want another year to slip away, so I've done some research to discover the key steps to making this year a year to remember and a year to be proud of.

Here are 7 steps to setting successful New Years Resolutions:

#1: Clarify your purpose. The clearer your objective is, the more you empower yourself to make it happen. Make sure to take the time to get extra clear about what you want and why you want it. The more details, the better. Remember, you can adjust your course as you move forward, but clarity gives us the motivation to get started and the perseverance to keep going.

#2: Create a simple plan. You know the old saying, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Make the steps to your plan simple so you can see and feel your progress. Progress keeps us enthusiastic. One of the most common reasons people don't take the first step to instigate their new resolutions is because they feel overwhelmed about the process. Creating a simple step-by-step plan shows our unconscious mind that progress is possible. Once we can see our first step and believe the outcome is probable, we will take the first step to build momentum. As the old saying goes, "More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin."

#3: Focus on the outcome. It can be daunting to look at what you have to go through to reach your new goals. Instead, focus on how good it will feel once you’ve reached your objective. When we know exactly WHY we are doing something and keep the outcome in mind, we are less likely to see the unexpected challenges as stop signs and more likely to move through them on our way to success.

#4: Speak up. Share your new aspirations with people you trust. You might be thinking, “Are you crazy!?” It’s not always easy to do, but by sharing your goals, you’re making a verbal commitment to your friends and to yourself. This way, you develop a system of accountability. Knowing your friends may ask about your progress is sometimes the additional motivation we need to see things through.

#5: Saddle up. The road to success isn’t always paved and smooth. Tough times are inevitable, so be careful not to get stuck in a perfection mindset. Expect challenges, but believe that you’ll rise above them. As my friend Mark Victor Hanson (co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series) says, "Great people choose to be greater than their problems."

#6: Remind yourself. Life moves fast and it’s easy to get caught up in our daily tasks and forget about our new year’s resolutions. Write your goals down and put them in a place where you can see them several times a day. By constantly reminding yourself of the objectives you set, you are subconsciously engaging your mind to search for opportunities that will help you accomplish your goals.

#7: Take action. A strong foundation is not created by developing flawless plans, but rather by the actions we take to reach our goals. In the end, the only person who can make your life exceptional is YOU. It may feel awkward at times as you take new actions and create new habits, but that is also where the growth occurs. Even those who are the best at what they do today were once taking actions that felt like baby steps. In other words, all winners were once beginners. Be willing to push through the awkward stage and be relentless in pursuit of your goals.

Make it Happen!

- Kent Healy

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