In this five minute video, Scott “Q” Marcus provides practical steps to get organized and to set effective goals.
Getting Started (Again)
There is no limit to how many times you can “begin” again.
There’s no denying that it’s frustrating to “start over” again and again and again.
We feel embarrassed and sometimes even ashamed. Because of those feelings, we keep our plans to ourselves, telling fewer and fewer people. Although it’s not required that we tell people, but the down side of not discussing what we want with those supportive to us is if no one knows what we’re doing, it makes it easier for us to back out and “save face.”
The reality is the one person who really matters does know; that’s us. WE know we’ve let ourselves down. WE know that we’re not doing what we want to do. And there’s no one else more important than US when it comes to changing.
It’s inevitable; you’re going to slip up. You’re going to fall down. But the key to success is getting up more times than you fall.<
Get up. Keep going. Start again.
No one is keeping count.
Understanding Your Motivation
Before changing, establish what matters.
‘Tis the time of year for change! (Actually any time is the time for change…) Right now, we are besieged with “resolution-mania.” The question on everyone’s lips is “What are you resolutions?” We look more critically at ourselves in the mirror. We imagine losing weight, exercising more, getting more fit, improving our relationships.There is nothing wrong with deciding to change. Actually, it’s probably one of the healthier things you can.
The problem is not figuring out “why” before you start.
Before you decide to move forward and re-arrange your life and the lives of everyone else around you, ask yourself one simple question:
“Why do I want to change this?”
If the answer includes the word, “Should,” (such as “I should be thinner,” or “I should make more money) disregard it. You will never stick with it. However, if the answer is, “I want to…” or “I need to…” (and “I’m willing to…”), then pick a small goal, and start immediately.
Knowing “why” you’re changing can be important as “what” you’re changing.
Understand your intention and take the first step!
(Want a free downloadable goal planner? Follow this link.)
Failing to Plan
Failure to plan is planning to fail.
It might be a little cliche, but the sentiment is true. We say we’ll get everything done and we really mean it. (Sound like the name of a website?) But the reality is that life has its own patterns – and life is better about getting us off-track than we will ever be about getting it to conform to what we want.
Especially now at the beginning of a new year, block out some time to plan where you want to go. Make a schedule and do your best to stick to it.
It won’t work out the way you expect it – but it will be a lot closer to it than doing nothing.
Practical, Simple Advice to Feel Better Quickly
Like so many thoroughbreds exploding onto the track at Churchill Downs, the gates have burst wide and the race to resolutions has begun. “Here we go again!” was first out but is already off the pace. “This Time It’ll Be Different” is fading quickly, but, the across the board favorite “Throw in the Towel” is once again moving up rapidly on the inside.
Alas, ‘tis January, and we have entered the silly season.
Barely two weeks ago, it was difficult to find a parking space at the mall — but no longer. Rather, it’s simpler than locating one at the health club. TV ads no longer tempt with sugary visions of chocolaty treats, opting to substitute video of hard-bodied men and bikini-clad women sweating to the latest exercise DVD available for three easy payments of $19.95. Interviews with specialists pontificating on the best value in gym memberships have supplanted chefs who provided recipes for holiday goodies. Store windows are now chock-a-block bloated with displays of diet pills, quick smoking solutions, and self-help books.
If you, like me, grow weary at this annual festival of advice; fret not, as it’ll be as long gone as last year’s chocolate Hanukkah gelt come Valentine’s Day. My question is, since it never works, “Why do we keep doing it?”
Oh sure, we’re a pretty self-critical bunch; never totally content with our lot in life. Lose a few pounds, get fit, spend more time with the family, work less, earn more, tuck this, grow that… it’s a never-ending catalog of imperfections. Yet, we can work on those any time. Why don’t we? Instead, every January, on the heels of two months of hedonistic over-indulgence, we stop for a moment to take self-inventory. After getting past the depression that follows such an unhappy assessment, we courageously commit to change every single solitary individual behavior that makes us feel sad or look bad. Within weeks — sometimes merely days — we’re exhausted by too much change in too short of a time, gorge on Valentine’s candy, and give up, proclaiming, “There’s always next year.”
Ready to break the cycle? It’s much simpler than expected. [Read more…]