Putting Legs on Your Resolutions
A Resolution is not an end in itself, it’s a roadmap for the journey. You have chosen your destination. You have declared your intention. You have laid the map out on the table. Now what?
If you are going on a journey, the first thing you look at is how you will get there. If you are driving, you map out the best route, look at interesting stops along the way, and decide where you will spend time. Then you think about what to wear, what you will see, who you will visit, and what you will need to get you there. Do you need to check out the car? Do you need airline tickets? An umbrella? Foreign currency? A camera? All those go into your planning. Usually, none of this feels threatening to you. It’s just matter of course. Exciting, but matter of course.
So now you have an internal journey – a Resolution. What do you need to do to get you there? Lay out the imaginary map and choose the best vehicle to take you on your journey. For example — I Resolve this year to utilize internet resources better to support my business.
OK – so that’s the overall Roadmap. Now – what vehicle will I use to get there? Online courses? A consultant? A dedicated once-per-day self-help session? An immersion course at the community college? Each of these is an option. Once I make my choice(s), I will set up the goals and a schedule to get me on my way.
Too many times we confuse Resolutions/ Intentions with Goals/Tasks. Then if the goals have to change, or the tasks mutate into something different, we think Resolutions don’t work. The Resolution still works. You just ran into some road construction. Take a new route.
When we enhance our ability to hold onto our Resolutions while taking different routes to get there, we are developing Resilience – “bounce-back ability.” There is no right way to achieve your Resolution. Be clear that you intend to achieve it, and take whatever roads necessary to get to your destination.
And make sure you enjoy the sights and sounds as you go! The happier you are on this journey, the more likely you are to stick with it.
All the best,
Beth
© 2010 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Earlier posts on this topic:
3 Mistakes in Making Resolutions
I love this truth: “Then if the goals have to change, or the tasks mutate into something different, we think Resolutions don’t work.” Well said, Beth! Thanks for helping me think more specifically and intentionally about the course I’m charting!
Thanks Mimi. It’s amazing how adept we are at talking ourselves out of getting and being better. The mind is an amazing instrument! I don’t want to do the discouragement thing, so I write Resolutions that are do-able!
All the Best,
Beth
Hi Beth,
Great post! I will add that when you have clear why that resolution is important to you, and how your life will change if you achieve it, the obstacles are just small speed bumps in comparison with the results you want to achieve.
Janis – welcome to the blog! Yes! Clarity is key. Passion backing it up is, too. Obstacles are just sandpaper – smoothing our edges and helping us grow. My secretary used to call difficult people “sandpaper people.” Good to remember.
thanks,
Beth