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Did you know that only three percent of New Year’s resolutions are ever realized? In fact, studies have shown that 60-80 percent of our resolutions are broken and forgotten within the first two weeks!

Even though resolutions don’t seem to work all that well, the beginning of the year is a time when people are thinking about making a fresh start, setting and achieving new goals, and making changes to improve their lives.

In this issue, we’ll take a look at why typical New Year’s resolutions don’t work and, more importantly, what we can do differently to succeed in making positive changes in our lives.

Let’s begin by looking at the definition of the word resolute, meaning “characterized by firmness and determination.”  Webster’s uses the example of “standing resolute against the enemy.” Isn’t it interesting that the very definition of the word implies that we must battle against something?

Whenever we resolve to resist, we’re pushing against… negating instead of affirming something. When we resist, we give the object of our resistance power over us. It’s a paradox… what we resist persists!

A dear friend of mine resolved to start the South Beach Diet last week.  She had already been eating a salad almost every day because it’s always been one of her favorite foods. Yet, within a few days of starting the diet, she felt resentful and victimized by having to eat salad. Hmmm… upset about the very same food she used to enjoy every day.

The bottom line is that we end up feeling persecuted by our own resolutions!

The problem with most resolutions is they are stated in the negative, and because of that they’re rarely realized. For example, “I’m not going to eat sweets anymore.” It’s human nature to refuse to tolerate deprivation.

Create Intentions Instead

So, let’s look at the power of creating intentions instead. An intention is “an aim or purpose that guides action.” Ahhh… can’t you just hear the freedom and empowerment in that? It’s not just semantics. It’s a totally different way of being.

When I intend to do, be, or have something, I’m creating a vision of the future that inspires me, empowers me, and propels me toward that future.

Imagine what you want your life to be like, especially in the particular area you want to impact. Think about the ideal. Focus on what it would look like if you absolutely could not fail.

Be very specific. Feel it… taste it… See yourself having what you want in glorious living color with all the details filled in. Commit your vision to writing and imagine it often.

When your intention and vision are clear, goals and action steps easily fall into place. New ways of doing things simply appear. You’ll find yourself inspired to “be” different.

And after all, wouldn’t you rather feel inspired and empowered than obligated, disappointed, and guilty?

Love,

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Meet Denise: Denise Hedges is a Business Development Coach and Speaker Coach for small business owners who want to be more comfortable, confident, and successful with their sales and marketing efforts. She specializes in helping them use speaking as a way to dramatically improve their results

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