Or as I like to call it…Resolutions 2.0
Okay. It’s been at least a month now into the New Year and I think it’s time to see how my New Year resolution(s) are going and course correct if need be. What about you?
This year I only have one(1) resolution and that is to not should’ve on myself this year. You know, I should’ve bought that…, or I should’ve made the cake I wanted to for the party, or I should’ve worn my red suit like I wanted to, or I should’ve…. fill in the blanks. We’ve all done it so I know you have too. Right?
These are all minor regrets that we can correct and get over. But what about some others like: I should’ve called that prospect… I should’ve told you I love you before you drove off…, or I should’ve visited them more often…, or I should’ve answered the phone when you called… And other regrets that we may not be able to correct.
So, will you be adding I WILL NOT SHOULD’VE ON MYSELF TODAY to your resolutions, if it’s not already?
Yes, I hear you saying “It’s easier said than done” and “I will when…” and “I’m just not ready yet to…” and my favorite “I intend to… whatever” . You know the saying “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. Right?
Here are 5 tips to help you keep those New Year Resolutions and keep you moving forward.
Making your resolutions stick
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew. If your list of resolutions is long, cut it down. Make this the year you focus on the top 3 or 5 things only on your list and save the others for coming years.
- Be realistic and set attainable goals. Maybe you resolve each year to lose weight but then you just hope it happens. Set a S.M.A.R.T. goal to lose 15 pounds by December 30,2020 by eating healthier with more greens and less carbs and walking 1/2 mile every other day.
- Track your progress. At the end of each month or start of the next one evaluate how far you’ve progressed toward your goal. If it was to ‘save $600 to put towards…”. Then at the end of February evaluate. Have you set $100 aside so far? Write down, each month, how much you’ve set aside. If the goal is $50 per month and you only did $35 this month – then make a plan to cover the shortfall.
- Accountability. We all perform better when we know someone is watching our progress. Ask a relative or friend to be your Resolution Buddy. Each month you can meet up and share each other’s progress on your respective resolutions. Help and encourage each other.
- And lastly – put yourself in charge. It is your responsibility and yours alone to make sure your resolutions come about. You are the boss and you need to tell yourself that and believe it. The future you make for yourself is yours – OWN IT!
I’d like to leave you with one more resolution to add to your list for this year. And that is to not have to say “I should’ve commissioned a portrait with Created Portraits”.
We can light and pose you to flatter you to create an eye popping, stop-in-your-tracks portrait. We can set up a time to call, chat and see if we’re a good fit for each other. We call it the DISCOVERY.