Those annoying resolutions…

Brace yourself…you’ll be hearing many people complain about their news feed being filled up with the annoyance of New Year’s Resolutions over the next week or so. You know what? I get it! But I have to say, as annoying as it might be to some, resolutions are necessary. Resolutions may not be for everyone, but they are necessary for those of us who want to live, learn, grow and change. I don’t know about you, but I’m not happy unless I am working toward something that is going to change my life for the better. Do I always reach my goals? Nope! But I slowly get closer to them and I certainly think that is better than doing nothing. I imagine that the complainers are happy and content with their lives and that’s cool. I do have to ask, however…Why do they feel the need to discourage those of us who are trying to grow?

A new year is a new start. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year. Reevaluate what worked and what didn’t and formulate a new plan. We do this at work all the time, so why wouldn’t we occasionally apply this approach to our personal lives? It makes sense to me. I’m a teacher. When I create a lesson I create a basic plan to teach a concept. I always reflect on the outcome and tweak my approach for the next time. Plan, Implement, Reflect, Learn and Grow! This same approach is used in business, parenting, sports and every other aspect of our lives. If you look at it that way, resolutions are awesome, aren’t they?

Resolutions are goals and goals are GREAT! Goals keep us accountable. Shouting out those goals allows us to find others of a similar mindset and connect with them, thus creating a support system that will no doubt make achieving our goals easier. Makes sense, right?

As we approach a new year think of it as a new start. Think positive! Goals keep us moving forward and they are essential to staying on track! Don’t let other’s opinions discourage you before you even start! Can you imagine where you would be if you gave up on your goals altogether?! Don’t allow life to control your destiny. Goals keep YOU in control. Do it for YOU! Because you are worth it!

What will your New Year’s Resolution be? Take a little time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Develop a new plan. If it requires health and wellness product, order what you need now, so you get it in time to start strong right after New Year’s Day. Of course, you can start right this second if you want to, but if you are like me, you need to mentally prepare a little and work towards a starting date with intention and determination.

Best of luck to you in 2016 and I wish you all the best as you work towards changing your life with those New Year’s resolutions! #youcandoit #Ibelieveinyou

 

5 Ways to Manage Life’s Challenges

Life is full of challenges. You set a goal and stuff happens and you throw in the towel. Don’t be that person! Don’t use challenges as excuses. Don’t allow challenges to cause you to lose focus and wander off of the path to your goal. It’s gonna happen…It might be an injury, finances, family, or your job. Whatever the challenge, you need to find a way to bounce back from the detour.  You will falter, you will be challenged, but you need a game plan to get back on track before you drift too far off course.

1. Acknowledge and expect that challenges are going to happen. Life is not perfect, people are not perfect. You will wander off track occasionally. The key is to realize it, forgive yourself for being human and jump back on track and continue to move forward.
2. Decide right now that mistakes are not excuses to give up! Mistakes are opportunities to learn and re-start smarter. I allow myself one day. One day to complain and re-group. The poor me attitude is gonna bring you down if you give it any more time than a day. The next day, start over and start stronger.
3. No negative self talk allowed! Promise yourself this right from the start. Be kind to yourself and be mindful of self deprecating words and thoughts. Speak to yourself as if you were speaking to a friend who has admitted making a mistake. If you wouldn’t say nasty things to your friend, why would you say nasty things to yourself?
4. Declare your goal publicly. Shout it out on social media, tell your co-workers what you are trying to achieve, share your goals with your family. It’s funny how we will work harder to avoid disappointing other people. Why isn’t it enough not to disappoint ourselves? It should be enough to keep us going, but we seem to thrive on accountability.
5. Form a support or accountability group. Recruit others with similar goals and keep each other on track. Set up a facebook group and instruct the members to check in daily to report their progress. If you fall of track due to life’s inevitable challenges, then admit it and move forward. It’s all good!

You can do this! You can make great things happen with intention and focus. 

Change doesn’t happen by chance and it isn’t going to be easy, but it is most definitely worth it!
There is no better feeling than setting a goal and accomplishing it…
Challenges just make the accomplishment all the more sweeter!

Share your goals and challenges with me! I’d love to hear about your progress 🙂
– Eileen