LIFESTYLES by Ronda Gates Weekly Message
Weekly Gems from Ronda Gates.



RESOLUTIONS


OK! We're three days into the New Year, New Century and New Millennium? How are those resolutions going? If you are like most people, any resolution you made is now flying in the face of the reality of your day to day life. Change is not easy--even when we want it badly.

People who do surveys at this time of year ask, "what's your New Year's Resolution?" Most often the response they get is about losing weight or getting fit or sticking to some kind of program that will improve health. That's why, this is the time of year that health clubs advertise heavily, offering enticing incentives and roll 'em back prices to take advantage of your personal pledge. Take that action step that moves you from a contemplation to commitment. After you give yourself a pat on the back, remember. It can be difficult to break old habits. It takes time to integrate new habits into your daily life and if you don't plan well you may find yourself hitting roadblocks and falling into holes.

Some people find it helpful to add one of the following strategies that are well known for their ability to enhance success at any new endeavor.

1. Share your pledge with a trusted friend. If it helps to have someone nag you, ask for that favor. If nagging makes you angry, tell your friend what kind of support will help you best and make sure you get it.

2. Many people add an affirmation of success in a new behavior long before the achieve it. Our minds are powerful forces with many levels of understanding that few of us understand. Say, "I enjoy exercising every day," often enough and soon it will become your reality.

3. Identify the saboteurs who, despite their interest in your plan for self improvement, may not like the impact it has on THEIR life. Saboteurs are not bad people. They simply can't be counted on to move you forward in life. Ignore them. Their discomfort with your decision is their problem.

4. Consider keeping a journal. Some people prefer the structured record keeping that assures they stick to a plan. Others don't like structure but don't mind making a few comments about their experience on a piece of paper every day. If you take 3 minutes the first thing in the morning when you sit down at your computer terminal to comment on your success (or failures) you will learn a lot about yourself, including additional ways to support your success.

5. Last year's first of the year message included a five point process for setting SMART goals using the acronym SMART where S = guidelines for setting specific goals M = guidelines for setting measurable goals, A = guidelines for setting action oriented goals, R specific goal setting, R = guidelines for setting realistic goals and T = guidelines for determining if the goals are timely.

You'll also find a list of book and video resources to support your program and links to two web sites that sell home exercise videos.

Regardless of how you begin your program, remember. Change is a process, not a destination. Enjoy your journey.

Happy New Year!



Weekly Messages Lifestyles

LIFESTYLES by Ronda Gates
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