New Year Resolutions

New Year, New You?

Have you made any new year resolutions?

The end of the year usually affords most of us the luxury of some much-needed reflection time. After part of the frantic holiday season, there are usually a few days in preparation for the new year of wonderful quiet, calm and a climate full of hope and expectation. It's the perfect time to reflect upon the state of your personal development and is the perfect time to come up with some new resolutions for the year to come.

A new year isn't simply the mark of how long it takes the earth to circle the sun, although that's a miracle in itself and should be appreciated as such. It's the culturally accepted reminder that change happens. Although this can lead to melancholy, as the song, "Au Langside," suggests, it doesn't have to. Personal development should be a joyous thing because you are taking more control of your life and living more authentically as a human being.

Since change is inevitable, why not do your part in making the change be something positive and desired? We often have a lot more control over our lives than we give ourselves credit for. Granted, there is much that we can't control, but that we must accept as the saying go. But what we can change we usually don't and want to. At least that was our experience for a long time. Now that this is no longer the case, life is sooo much better.

Over the last few days, we've given some thought to goals and plans and hopes. And the question of new year resolutions has come up. We've both had years when we've had resolutions and years when we haven't had any. Was there any difference in the years in terms of quality of life over the things we could control? Actually, yes.

We found that not having new year resolutions and as well as having thought out new year resolutions that were done in such a way that were too vague, written too quickly, and with no attention given to anything on the list throughout the year. When the new year resolutions were written down this way, barely anything of what was desired materialized. When no resolutions were written, nothing of what we wanted for that year came to pass. Just by writing down the resolutions, a few of the goals were realized.

We're now big believers in having new year resolutions and in writing them down. To have new year resolutions work successfully for you, we think it takes a little more than just the minimum of thinking about them briefly and writing them down. It's not a complicated thing to effectively use resolutions. First, what exactly are resolutions? In short, they are committments that people make to themselves to accomplish goals and habits. They are not so unusual, and according to Wikepedia encylclopedia, new year resolutions were made by Babylonians, the ancient city, the centre of the world about 5,000 years ago. Since new year resolutions have been around for so long, they must be of value. And they are! But you have to do them properly. It's easy, but there is a method that works.

First, keep it simple. There are twelve months. Have only twelve resolutions. This way you won't be overwhelmed. By narrowing it down to 12, you're really leaving only what you really want on your list.

Second, use your heart when you are deciding on what you are going to have on that list. We all have things we feel we ought to do. While those might be really important too, your resolution list should be for your pleasure. In your heart of hearts, what do you want on your resolution list?

Third, use variety. We mean focus on different categories as you do your list. We like to list something that speaks to our joy, to helping others, to personal development, to our career ambition, to our sense of adventure, etc.

Fourth, be as specific as possible. What is it that you hope to achieve? How will this be measureable? For example, if I want to speak a new language by the end of 2008, then how will I know that I've achieved this? Would I need to go to a restaurant and order in that language? Would I be able to have a conversation with a native speaker for about 10 minutes? Would we be able to travel to a country where this language is spoken and be fluent enough to get by and enjoy our vacation?

Fifth, turn your resolutions into intentions. You can have the heading of your resolutions be titled just that, but right underneath it, you should also intend. For example, if learning a new language or computer program is a resolution, then you would have this: 1. I intend to learn to speak conversationally in French by the end of this year.

Sixth, keep the resolutions were you can see them. This will keep you on track.

Seventh, have a plan as to how you are going to approach your resolutions. Choose one to tackle first and turn it into a habit. If we were going to take learning a new language as our first one to tacke, then we would think about how we would achieve this. One of the best ways to achieve new goals or to develop new ways of doing things, or not doing them (breaking a bad habit), is to create a new habit (even breaking a habit is creating a new habit of not following the bad habit, you follow?). How to create a new habit? All it takes is doing something for 21 days and it becomes a habit. So, we would find the best way to begin learning the language, either through a course or through a software or audio program. Once we did this, we'd find a way to schedule it into our schedule for 21 days, even for as little as 20 minutes a day. At the end of 21 days, it becomes a new habit and we'd just practice the language habitually. Then we'd be onto the next resolution. With 12 resolutions and 12 months in a yyear, it becomes managable.

Having a difficult time starting? Don't worry so much. Remember, you are the writer of your new year resolutions and you can edit them at will. A person does have the right to change their mind.

Ivy is posting up her new year resolutions for 2008. I know it's personal, but I'm willing to share:

1. I intend to learn to speak conversational French by the end of the year. I will know I've achieved this when I can speak with a native French speaker for about 10 minutes.

2. I intend to learn how to use a digital camera. I will know I've achieved this when I use most of my settings to take photos.

3. I intend to complete a Family Tree. I will know I've achieved this when I have lists of family members up to 1700.

4. I intend to maintain my ideal weight. I will know that I've achieved this when I do something to keep myself physically fit everyday for a minimum of 30 minutes.

5. I intend to travel to a new place. I will know that I've achieved this when I plan and travel there.

6. I intend to learn how to swim. I will know that I've achieved this when I am able to do four different swimming techniques and can stay in the deep end of a pool.

7. I intend to donate dinner to a shelter near me. I will know that I've achieved this when I make a phone call and make arrangements to do this.

8. I intend to make 2 new good friends who have some similiar interests to mine. I will know that I've achieved this when I am enjoying the company of friends who are good people.

9. I intend to begin a new business. I will know I've achieved this when I have laid out groundwork that has received positive feedback from trusted sources.

10. I intend to read all of James Joyce's works. I will know I've achieved this when I've read his work.

11. I intend to visit Graceland. I will know I've achieved this when I'm there.

12. I intend on planting 5 new trees. I will know I've achieved this when I've planted them.

So, here it is. What are yours?

We hope this helps you in starting to think about writing your resolutions. Happy intentions to one and all! Happy New Year. We wish the best for everyone.

Ivy and Amanda

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