New Years Resolution 2015

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

The holiday season is a time where people are reflecting on the year, what went well, what didn’t go so well and plotting their New Year Resolution.

It is quite an effective time for CHANGE, as a New Year signifies for many people, a new beginning, like starting afresh even if the year before didn’t go so well.

Believe it or not, change can happen at any time. You do not have to wait until the New Year or a new month or new day. Change begins when you acknowledge that you are not satisfied with where you are at and are prepared to do something about it.

A reminder: List is Short. Even too short to patiently wait for a New Year to start making changes.

What Makes the Resolution Stick?

How many times have you seen people that are super enthusiastic about their New Year resolution at the beginning of the year, then over time, the intensity of action slows down to eventually quitting altogether? This is the most common outcome.

Based on my own experience, in which I have lived through a ton of MAJOR changes (e.g. quitting my job in 2012 to travel the world) in my 33 years, here are the factors which help resolutions or decisions for change stick.

1. Clarity about your goals/dreams/purpose – It is vitally important to be crystal clear about the direction you are aiming for. Vagueness will only give you vague results. Write down what you are seeking to achieve – this makes it more real and tangible. What gives it the extra punch is bringing the feeling of what it would be like to have what it is you desire – like it is already here. What does it look like, smell like, feel like and sound like?
2. A willingness to accept change – Most people think they are ready for change, but when the change entails giving things up in lives currently, they immediately hesitate. Yes change will mean you may need to give up television so you can work on a new business or you may need to give up junk food in order to lose weight. The point is, the reason why you opted for a change is because what is happening in your life is not working. It is insanity to expect a different result doing the same thing.
3. A burning desire – Frankly you need the strong passion and drive to see the changes through. Especially as there will be obstacles and challenges that come your way. If you only kind of sorta want to change, you are likely to quit at the first sign of adversity. You have to REALLY REALLY want it!
4. Taking action – No change can happen without taking consistent action. You will have to work hard, but the most important thing is to take some form of action every day (no matter the size) that will move you forward towards your goal. The aim is to build up a momentum that will give you the result you are after.

Hope you find the points above handy and now, it’s time to go out there to create the beautiful life you deserve.

Wishing you you Happy New Year!