Honestly now, lets call New Year's Resolutions what they really are...WISHFUL THINKING! People have a habitual tendancy to start every year off with good intentions, but you know what they say about good intentions don't you? "The road to hell is paved with them." Why don't you quit kidding yourself every year with making another round of New Year's Resolutions, only to realize at the end of the year that all they amounted to were good ideas on paper. I've got a challenge for you...why don't you make this year different?
Before you make the resolution (and don't make more than 3), take 3 action steps towards your goal and do these for 3 straight weeks before you even decide that it is a resolution. Don't even give the resolution "credibility" until you have "built its reputation." Prove to yourself first that it is truly worthy of even considering it a resolution. After 3 weeks, you should have solidified some healthy habits through implementing your action steps. So, then after 3 weeks you can say that you are "in the process" of creating your resolution. Now, consider that most people fail with their resolutions after 6 weeks, so lets double that to 12 weeks or 3 months. After 3 weeks, your focus is now 3 months where you continue your 3 action steps and add to them 3 more. You also need to tell at least 3 people that can hold you accountable your first 3 action steps as well as your second 3.
You should write down your 3 action steps each time and put them up in 3 different places that you will see EVERY DAY. Each day, take 3 minutes to BOLDLY DECLARE those action steps with declarations like..." I will not fail to (fill in the blank)." "I will not allow the enemy to rob me of accomplishing (fill in the blank)." "I am going to make (fill in the blank) a reality and not allow myself to make any excuses." Create your own declarations and speak them boldly. If you want to even get to calling something a resolution, you must convince yourself everyday that it is more important to get to your goal than not. You must also dig deep for a conviction that you do not want to face the consequences of not achieving your goal. Remember, your true resolution doesn't even get established until 90 days after the year starts. After 90 days of following your action steps, you will have built a foundation that your New Year's Resolutions can stand on.
You don't want to just prop up your resolutions like the government is doing to our economy. If so, you are just setting yourself up for failure. I encourage you to make this year different. Your resolutions are important because they are positive changes that are on your heart to make. They are things that can make your life better, but you will NEVER see them come to pass if you go about them the same way year after year. Listen to what is on your heart and turn it into a reality so you can live a better life. Don't waste another year with wishful thinking. Now is a perfect time to start becoming a better you! You could change your life and have the potential to be a better version of yourself this time next year. Don't wait...a year goes by fast and most New Year's Resolutions don't last!
