I hate resolutions! Choose a THEME instead.

Don’t you hate resolutions?  I do.

There is one insidious concept built into the resolution process that almost guarantees the first few weeks of the year will bomb.  I’ve placed a few CLUES in the “resolution process” below.

• Think about an area of FAILURE in your life.  (For example, you have been off the “workout wagon for months, maybe years).

• 

  Create a negative guideline based on not FAILING.  (I’m going to “make” myself go to the gym every day).

• Think that every day you don’t FAIL, it’s a good day.  (Maybe this time, I’ll stick with this).

Did you get my clues and see the problem?  FAILURE is built into the resolution process.  You think about how you have failed, you try not to fail and if you are a normal, red-blooded mammal, all that thinking about failure leads to FAILURE!

Changing your life and creating momentum in January that will carry throughout the rest of 2013 is totally and completely possible!  All you need is a vision and a little knowledge about how to use it.  Defining what you want, truly creating a VISION that excites you, and being willing to look forward no matter what the circumstances will make this year different than any other.

1. Choose a theme word.

   What do you really need in your life?  I truly believe that if you quiet yourself RIGHT NOW and experience this moment, you will receive the ingredients you need to create an amazing and empowered life.  So what is it?  Freedom, Health, Revitalization, Radiance?  This will be your “theme” for the year, a home base for all your actions and improvements.

2. Define it in the Dictionary of YOU.  

   

   Now that you have your theme, you need to really add specific and relevant detail around what it means. Let’s say you want to get healthy (who doesn’t in January?).  What does it mean?  It could be eating better, exercising more, getting more rest, being more organized, learning to say no.  OR- it could be more about fitting into your jeans, a specific weight, or running a 8 minute mile.  Whatever it is, you have to define it in the dictionary of you.  It doesn’t matter what others are doing,  it only matters what it means to you.

3. Create Finish Line images.  

   Can you envision a road race “finish line?”  The ribbon is taut, stretched across the road or the track with the clock furiously running the seconds, waiting for the runner to break through the line.  Whitney Johnson of the HBR blog network believes your dreams are about who you hope to become and bring that dream into sharp resolution is essential to the process.  What does your finish line look like when your theme is doing it’s work?  If your theme is acceptance, you can imagine smiling in the mirror, happy with what you see.  You picture yourself talking to your mother-in-law, unfazed by her cutting comment because you are comfortable with who you are.  Your friend stops by unexpectedly and

   

   you focus on connecting rather than sheepishly cleaning up your mess.  The more you can “see” your success, the more likely it is that you will experience the excitement of crossing your finish line!

4. Evaluate your actions using your theme.  

   Now it’s time to live your life according to your theme.  You work, you exercise, you eat, you clean…but now, you have a system for evaluating your actions.  When you find yourself swallowing your voice at work, you realize that your actions aren’t “EMPOWERED,” and you change your actions to fit with your theme.  Don’t worry about perfection.  The first step to this process is allowing your present actions and your future dreams to co-exist.

5. One more – for extra points:  Talk about your theme.  

   It’s the way we humans are wired.  Shared experiences reinforce your dreams and create space for change.  Owning what you want, being willing to explain your passions, being unafraid to stand up for yourself and believe in the now will transform your life.  Not only will you impact others, but you will inspire yourself.

So what do you have to lose?  Forget about resolutions and choose a theme word, and start envisioning that finish line.  The Nead Inspiration community is busy choosing the future they want.  Gigi has chosen peace.  Krista is bring radiance in her life.  Debby has embraced health. Lori has claimed abundance.  What do you need in 2013?  You will be surprised at the way your theme shows up for you in your life.