Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Make a committment instead of a resolution

How about choosing to make a commitment instead of a resolution?

Choose carefully and don’t over-commit. Make sure that you are able to follow through on your commitment by considering how you’ll overcome barriers that may get in your way (most often, we are the barrier to our own success!). It’s okay to set your sights high! Consider the sacrifices you might have to make to achieve your commitment; you may have to give something else up to free your time or to better serve your dedication to the commitment.


Test it. Does your commitment feel realistic? Is it something that you can emotionally connect with? Is your heart open to it? When you have a positive emotional connection to your commitment, you are more likely to follow through and remain dedicated to success. If you feel yourself straying from your commitment along the way, think about whether it’s the right thing for you – and be willing to let it go and rethink what you are really committed to.

Figure out how. Consider the following when figuring out the steps needed to begin work on your commitment: What are the actions or behaviors that you need to take to move toward fulfilling your commitment? What do you need to learn to be successful in your commitment and how will you learn it? If you were to look ahead to the end of the year when your commitment is achieved, what will you be doing? Write down your steps.

Ask for help. Share your commitment statement with someone who can hold you accountable. Negotiate with them about how you’d like to be held accountable. Scheduled check-ins work for many, but anything that works for you is okay. The point is that accountability is key to success.

If you’re dedicated to your commitment, by the end of 2015 (and maybe before!), you will have developed a new way of being because of the commitment you’ve made.

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