new year resolutions

Reaching goals and making changes can be hard. Many won’t budge despite sitting in boiling water. This inertia is caused by a lack of emotional awareness. To begin growing strong enough to make progress, become aware of the following:

1. Thoughts and feelings can change: Most people believe their thoughts or feelings are legitimate and immutable. In reality, with a little desire and insightfullness, large (even extreme) changes in how we think and feel are possible. For example, my ten year old son feared and hated water. He would dread every session his class would spend at the school pool. Tears would flow at the slightest splash! However, with a little exposure and the discovery he could swim (after some practice) my son now loves (!) going to pool class. As simple and innocent as this story seems, its lesson can applied to adults in most circumstances.
2. Expectations can become a burden: In anticipation of a new job or reponsibility don’t demand perfection upon arrival. Set your mind to try your best but also accept that most new endeavours are works-in-progress. Every ability gets better with practice. Your current capabilities only apply to today’s version of you. Tomorrow’s version will be much more capable!
3. All staircases have steps! Any plot to conquer the world should start with the recruitment of the first soldier. Similarly, take the initial steps when wanting to change jobs, careers, educational paths or even spouses! Discovering solutions for your first set of concerns greatly enhances confidence in your abiliy to make a change.
4. You can build yourself: Many people are overly influenced by perceived weaknesses as opposed to personal strengthes. Practice taking stock of past achievements and use them as precedence for future challenges. Little victories should be celebrated. A small feeling of personal potential can initiate big progress.
5. Wrongful associations: Here is a common scenario – John broke up with his partner three months ago. To move forward in life, John adopts an exercise and diet program. Two week in, John begins to feel lack lustre, off-kilter and a little anxious. He blames his new exercise and diet program for his feelings and promptly quits. In truth, John’s symptoms were the result of emotional issues caused by the end of his relationship. Although John was perfectly suited to his fitness program (it would have brought many great benefits!) it fell victim to wrongful association. If you feel uncomfortable, off-kilter or anxious, don’t automatically blame that which is new in your life. Check your emotional environment (composed of profound influences such as finances, relationships and the health of those important to you) for the real culprit. Emotional issues are sneaky. They show up at odd times in unexpected manners. This year, make sure your goals don’t become casualties!