So, you have often made a few ‘New Years’ Resolutions, and if you were lucky you actually managed to achieve some of them.  But the rest are hanging over you, as a heavy weight of guilt!

This month’s hints and tips are about how to make sure you make Resolutions you love and are inspired to keep.  There is a difference between being inspired and being motivated.  Motivation still requires you to push yourself to do something, whereas when you are inspired, you automatically do it, with no need for encouragement.  Therefore inspiring yourself into action, is a much more successful strategy to have.

Double Checking

1. Less is more, so go for just a few, rather than 10, you are more likely to be able to concentrate on them and achieve them.  Remember, you are allowed to make, spring, summer, autumn and winter resolutions later on!
   

2. Are you really sure that this is your resolution, and not someone else’s?  Are you doing this because you would love to, or because your partner, children, boss, friends or doctors day so?
   

Making Them

1. Find a lovely place to think, maybe with a beautiful picture, or some inspiring music.  Have a quick stretch, glass of water and ensure that you are breathing deeply into your abdomen.
   

2. It is ideal to be in a balanced, poised state, where you are not irritated by someone, fretting about your worries, or day-dreaming about a fantasy you have. The quickest way to become poised, centered and present is to count your blessings (see my previous blog)
   

3. Spend 15mins counting your blessings for all the things that you have in your life, and even for some of the things that you find challenging.
   

4. Write what you would love to Be (like your mission), Do (what actions you will take to gain your mission) and Have (what you will get from doing those things) for the areas that you have highlighted as needing a New Years ‘pick-me-up’. 
   

Getting Inspired

1. Write 50-200 reasons why achieving this resolution links to the things that you value and love in life.  The more you do here, the easier it will be.  This is the bit that changes you from motivating yourself, to being so inspired, you cannot stop yourself from taking the actions required.
   

2. Write “words of power” or “positive affirmations” to support you and remind you. Always in the present tense, as though you have already achieved it.  Don’t mention what you do not want (like weight or debt), mention what you do want e.g. “I am fit, slim and healthy” or “I manage money wisely”.  Then repeat them to yourself every morning and evening.
   

3. Some people find it very helpful to draw a picture, or create a “vision board” to encapsulate the goal.  Others do spells, or manifestation rituals.  It doesn’t matter what, as long as you get those creative thought juices going!
   

Monitoring

1. Now write the first 7 actions that you are going to take.  Make sure you have broken them down, so that you can frequently tick them off, as Success, Breeds Success.
   

2. Ok, so if at a later date you decide something else is more important to you – great, do not beat yourself up, you have just had a lesson in what you love more than this original goal.
   

3. What about if you have not managed to make any progress?  Think about this.  Did you really want to achieve it, or did someone else?
   

4. Does this goal conflict with another, or one of your key values?  If so, then it will get deleted from your brain instantly.  In which case it either needs refining to match, or you need to do another linking exercise
   

My Story, That Golden Oldie ‘Weight Loss’

Now weight loss is a long story, so I’m just going to share one part with you.  The first time I did this linking exercise I effortlessly lost 2.5stone, having struggled for over 10years to do so beforehand.  I linked weight loss to my ability to be able help more people in my work.  It was a miracle!  So then I had a baby, and eventually decided that I would like to get back to that miraculous weight I had achieved before.  But, it just didn’t happen.  I scratched my head, re-linked my values, but nothing.  Then one day I realized, doh!  There was a complete contradiction between my new role and deeply held values as a Mum, and the goal of becoming a slim size 10.  I did not even find size 10 particularly attractive any more!   The minute that I changed my goal to be ‘A Fit, Healthy, & curvy size 12’ – hey presto, it all started to work.