Scion of NLP

Archive for January 4th, 2010

Okay, I recently saw something or read something somewhere on the internet that I’d like to share — somebody mentioned the idea that new year’s resolutions are stupid because if you’re making a resolution to do something all year, then it’s not a task … it’s a lifestyle change!

If you make a resolution to exercise more, and you’re able to keep it up, then it will eventually become a part of your lifestyle! Instead of thinking about it as a resolution that you can possibly fail at … try making it a lifestyle change that you do in smaller (achievable) steps.

Remember the 5 principles for success:

1. Know your outcome — know what you want specifically … ‘exercise more’ could be ‘exercise once a week in January (then make a goal for February at the end of the month)
2. Take action — do something … ANYTHING — once you start the process it’s easier to keep going … so exercise for a few minutes one time
3. Have sensory awareness — be aware of feedback so you can make adjustments … if you hurt after exercising then it should be okay to skip one (listen to your body!)
4. Be flexible — be open to finding ways that work … if the original resolution doesn’t cut it then change it to something that works better for you …  and, in the same sense, be open to setbacks … if you miss once it doesn’t mean failure unless you stop trying
5. Be excellent — specifically, it’s not about achieving something … make it about constantly learning and consistently growing

My ‘resolution’ for this year is to continue my ‘resolutions’ from the last few years … (meaning, I’d like to keep doing the things I’m doing that have improved my life):

• always walk on the sunny side of the street,
• sing a little every day,
• take full responsibility for everything that happens in my life,
• surround myself with positive/successful/motivated people

With that in mind, I’ll  leave you with the the words of Bill and Ted:

Be Excellent to One Another

… and …

Party on Dudes!