It's Not To Late - Make Those Resolutions

By Michelle Poteet

www.reclaimorder.com
www.reclaimorder.wordpress.com

As 2009 came to a close, we sit and ponder what we are going to put on our list of New Year’s Resolutions. We think of years past when we vowed to lose weight, stop talking like a sailor, or even call our family more often. According to About.com, organizing is on the top 10 list of New Year’s Resolutions. We have good intentions, but many times we hit February, March if we’re lucky, and we have already “failed” to keep our resolution. I would like to share with you a dozen ways to help ensure you keep your resolutions in the coming year:

1. Tell a friend. Not only make the commitment to yourself to keep your resolution, but share the goal with someone else. Don’t take on this burden all by yourself. Enlist the help of a friend (or family) who can help to hold you accountable.

2. Write it down. Keeping a journal of your goals and resolutions will help in keeping it fresh on your mind.

3. Make it reasonable. What resolutions sound reasonable to you? Stretch yourself, but be reasonable. You want to stick with it for the year, not quit after 1 month. If you are looking to lose a large amount of weight what can you realistically do in a month? In a year?

4. Post it up. Write your resolution on a piece of paper, white board, whatever it takes and post it where you’ll see it every day.

5. Set aside time. Make sure you schedule time to work on your resolution. If it’s exercise, then make an appointment with yourself to hit the gym or head outside. If it’s time to get organized, block out time on your calendar for the week.

6. Learn. Are you unsure how to reach your goal or resolution? Then work to learn more about it. If your resolution is to better communicate with others, then enlist the help of others or even books to help you learn.

7. Keep an open mind. You may have a plan all laid out on how to reach your goals and resolutions, but sometimes our plans can change. Be open to new and different ways of doing things. You may surprise yourself.

8. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes we get off track. As you are working to payoff your credit cards you may have to replace a major appliance. Don’t let this discourage you and by all means don’t throw in the towel all together.

9. Pray. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Whether you are asking for strength, guidance, or peace He is listening.

10. Believe. Believe in yourself and believe that you can accomplish whatever you have set out to do. Believing is half the battle.

11. Start a blog. Get involved in the online community and share your goals and resolutions with others. What a great way to gain support, insight and build relationships.

12. Get and stay organized. Having your mind and your space organized will give you more time (and energy) to focus on reaching your New Year’s Resolutions!

What will your New Year’s Resolution be ? I know for me I have a few, but the biggest one is to spend time daily building better relationships. Every day is precious and we should treat it as such. I look forward to building stronger communication lines with those already in my life, but to also branch out and build relationships with those I have just met, and have yet to meet. I welcome 2010 with open arms, an open mind and an open heart.

Many blessings in the coming year!