Out with the Old in with the New (Year)

Sick and tired of not following through with your New Years Resolutions? Beating yourself up for not sticking to last years plan? Overwhelmed by the possibilities of all that you could have accomplished - if only you could quit getting in your own way? Put the bat down. Changing your behavior may be an easy concept to grasp but it’s not a simple task && they call it New Years Resolution for a reason. It takes a series of small successes to create change that lasts a lifetime. && unfortunately that means committing to working at something for more than one year. But here’s the thing, you don’t have wait until NYE to take small steps towards changing your behavior, addiction, relationships, mental health etc., you can begin today. (Right now in this very moment, its already happening).

HERE’S HOW:

Minfulness- Pay attention. Be aware of what’s going on around you and within you. Be mindful of how you are reacting emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. What were your pitfalls last year and what can you prepare for in turn, this year? Take notes.

Checks and Balances- You can have it all just not all at once! In thinking about New Years resolutions we tend to have an “all or nothing” “black and white” approach to thinking. Life doesn’t work that way, there’s a lot of grey!!! Think about using the visual metaphor of a seesaw - when we make a positive change our success potential/seesaw goes up; when we are challenged, emotionally triggered or faced with the discomfort of change, our success potential/seesaw goes down (&& that’s okay - it’s only when you decide to get off of the seesaw is when you truly fail). Expect to face challenges along the way. Work with them versus against them. Weigh your checks and balances & be okay with not being perfect 100% of the time.

Level Up- it’s so cliche but “whether you say you can or you can’t, your right”. You CAN accomplish whatever you set your mind to. You are capable and worthy of setting out what you intend to. Size yourself up.

Downsize- Start small. Take the stairs. There is no elevator to success.

Know thyself - know your limitations, your challenges, your triggers, strengths and weaknesses. The more awareness you have of self the more likely you are to be successful in what you set out to accomplish.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself - pause - take a minute to check yourself mentally before you act out behaviorally. Often times it’s the impulsive-spur of the moment-“fly by the seat of your pants” moments that get the best of us. You can do this.