New Year's resolutions? Not again! Don't you remember what happened last time?
I don't know about you, but for me, New Year's resolutions always come with a big bat: I resolve to do something, I stop doing it, and I beat myself up about it.
In fact, the vast majority of people deviate from their resolutions sooner or later, usually sooner. And most of the rest are probably lying or kidding themselves. Of course, there might be a FEW hardy souls out there somewhere who actually stick with their resolutions. Good for them!
For the rest of us, though, I would like to propose an alternative. And no, it's not too late. See, that's the beauty of alternatives: They don't have to follow the same rules as resolutions. Which means that you don't have to start (or make) them on the first day either!
Here's what I'd like to propose: Instead of "resolving," let's visualize, project, envision, allow, and, yes, even dream.
I haven't made New Year's resolutions in years. Instead, I tend to sit down and spend some quality time dreaming up what I would like to happen in the coming year. I try to be somewhat within the realm of the possible, given ideal circumstances, but I make sure not to aim too low.
So, let's not make resolutions. Let's not say "Next year I will ALWAYS blah blah blah and if I fail to do so, I'm a loser!"
Instead, let's try this:
- "Next year, I see myself meeting .... and creating ..... and...." Put in the spaces whatever it is you would like to do or have happen for you.
- Whom would you like to meet?
- Is there a business you're trying to get off the ground? Visualize it up, running, and thriving. Visualize your many happy customers or clients. Or readers, if you plan to write.
- Is there a personal goal you would like to reach? Yes, the same kind we usually make resolutions for. Instead of the usual resolutions, though, say something like this:
"I see myself enjoying moving my body regularly and feeling full of energy. I love fresh and nutritious food, and I enjoy creating tasty meals and eating them."
And so on. You get the idea.
Here's one I need to envision for myself: "I really enjoy getting enough sleep and feeling well-rested!"
Or how about for your career? “I see myself enjoying my time at the office and being extremely productive this year. People are really going to start taking notice! Things are going to fall in place, and my career is really going to take off this year.”
Now, what happens if you don't make it?
Well... there is always that little addendum to visualization and manifestation exercises. I call it: "This or something better..."
We don't always know what's best for us in the long run. We may kick and scream as things don't work the way we want them to.
But how many times have you failed to receive what you wanted and realized later that you were oh so much better off without it? Happened to me lots of times!
Or that because you didn't get it, things developed in a way that brought something to you that was so much better than what you had wanted originally that the very thought of not having that in your life could make you weep?
So, this year, don't make New Year's resolutions. Let's do something different. Visualize. Project. Dream!
And have an absolutely amazing new year!
