New Years Resolutions: Sand Castles on the Beach
Now what's this guy on about? New years resolutions and sand castles on the beach?
Bear with me.
It's approaching that time of the year... when we decide we're not happy with where we are in life, or we're all fired up to be the next great [insert whatever you like here], or we want to break a bad habit. And now we begin to make our new years resolutions.
Ok... can I ask you a question?
How many of your new years resolutions, from last year, have you achieved?
I think I know the answer.
Some years ago I did a little experiment to prove that new years resolutions were really like building sand castles on the beach. Early in the year I casually chatted to family members and friends, and made sure the conversation came around to new years resolutions. I made a point of getting the resolutions that were set for the year. There was lose weight, stop smoking, make mega bucks in business, yada, yada.
As soon as I had the chance, I jotted down the person's name and their new years resolution. I kept these notes handy.
Around April or May I made a point of chatting to the same people whose new years resolutions I had. Naturally the subject of resolutions came up, and...
I asked how things were going with the new years resolutions.
Honest to goodness, I don't recall any one person who was still on track with their resolutions!
Interestingly, a few years ago I heard something intriguingly on the radio. A mathematical psychologist had determined, with a mathematical formula that 18 May was the "best day to set resolutions for the year". Wouldn't you like to see that formula? I sure would.
If setting a new years resolution is like building a sand castle on the beach, does that mean we should not plan for something better in life?
No, no, no!
Set real goals. Goals that you work towards and achieve!
Here are 3 tips to set real goals...
* Identify your goal clearly. When doing so, think of the reasons you want to achieve this goal. This becomes a powerful motivator to keep you on
track to success.
* Think of possible obstacles you may encounter on your goal path. And by thinking of the possible obstacles up front, it can give you ideas for solutions - that way you will be better equipped should you encounter the obstacles.
* Take action. No matter how small the step, take it. Take the first step, and move forward. You will succeed!
There's no reason you cannot set your goals at the start of the year, but please don't let your goals be like sand castles on the beach.
So, why do I say new years resolutions are like building sand castles on the beach? No matter how grand the sand castle is, we know the tide is going to come in and
wash our castle away. And isn't that what we do with new years resolutions? We know very well we won't stick to it, yet we do it every year.
If you set new years resolutions as a fun thing, no problem. If you really want something better out of life, reconsider setting resolutions - think rather of
setting real goals.
Have a great year!
About the Author: Colin Dunbar is the owner of www.eaziGOAL.com, your goal setting resource with hundreds of articles, tips, and interviews. You CAN turn your vision into reality with REAL goal setting! Turn your vision into reality.
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