How to Keep New Year's Resolutions

Hey there everyone,

Hopefully you are settling into 2015, and have not lost the excitement the New Year brings.

I wanted to post this on New Years Eve -but alas, I was in disposed enjoying my time with friends and family.

Lets talk resolve:

Unless you have a TON of time, energy, space, and resources at your disposal, AND  you have done lifestyle modification with success in the past, I suggest you pick ONE very important resolution (and only one) for 2015. This will more than keep your hands full the entire year.

What do I mean?



The nature of a 'resolution', is the willingness to 'cut out' other things, in order to maintain a resolved mindset to accomplish whatever the resolution happens to be.

 It is a "No matter what" kind of attitude. It involves sacrifice of anything that gets in the way, to include non-essential drains on your time, energy and finances - no matter how minor they seem.

This kind of sacrifice FORCES you to get clear on your goals, life-purpose, and passions.

Think about it - if it isn't what you are built to do, that kind of sacrifice will hardly be worth it!

You can't pour activity onto an already busy schedule, and expect significant results. That would be like pouring a bunch of water into a container that has holes in it...it just won't hold anything, and your efforts will be in vain, leading to serious disappointment.

A better way: Start building up your internal reservoirs of health and energy, BEFORE you try to expend energy trying to accomplish something.

Example:


You want to 'get in shape', or 'lose weight' this year? Good. Now, check your sleep. Is it restful? Is it enough? If not, start there. It doesn't do much good to commit to an exercise program that you have to engage consistently when you are ALREADY tired!

Next up: Nutrition. Focus on increasing veggies and lean protein, and let those be the basis of your meals. Add healthy fat and natural, fibrous carbohydrates as activity dictates.

Don't focus on what you 'can't/shouldn't' do, but instead, focus on what you can do, now, with what you do have (motivation, finances, etc.). In time, these will displace the things that don't belong.

TRUST the process, and stay focused on what you want to accomplish, and what helps you do that.

In time, it will become clear as to what really prevents you from being and doing what you want...and then it will be a lot easier to remove it from your life, and replace it with something (or someone...?) supportive.

Why this order?

Sleep is more important than food, and food is more important than exercise. Remember that. The only shortcut is to do it right the first time.


Think of your goals as direction-finders, and not "must accomplish or else" deadlines. The former is a sustainable, gradual, sure approach - the latter is a likely path to failure.

After all, who cares if it takes 17 months instead of 12 to reach your goal...you'll still be making progress all year long,  be headed in the right direction, and it will be a sustainable, organic form of achievement!

Strength and honor in 2015,

JG