It is that time of the year again… not the time to create our New Year’s resolutions, but the defining time of whether we will commit to them or give up.

I had a conversation yesterday with a friend of mine regarding New Year’s resolutions. My amazement was not that he had strayed off his resolution but that he had actually made one. It seems like it is rare to meet a person who still believes in making a New Year’s resolution. Even those few that still believe in doing it find it difficult to succeed at committing to them.

Some of you might have said, “Why even bother making one this year?” or, “Should I make a smaller one that I would actually achieve?” or even, “Why should I put myself in a position to fail again?” and so forth.

Why is it that most people do not even make New Year’s resolutions anymore? And most that do will not follow through with them for more than 2 weeks?

New Year’s resolutions are made based on an emotional visualization. They are based on the excitement of “What if I were to…? Where would I be if…? Who would I be if…?” and so on. When we make these resolutions we can visualize the end product, the result of the commitment of following through. What we do not do is focus on the work that is involved in making this resolution a reality.

Then the New Year comes along and what happens is we take our focus off the ‘Emotional Visualization’ and focus on the daily work that is involved to make this resolution a reality. Once we take our focus off the end product, the prize, the cause, and the purpose, we dwell on the day-to-day tasks and our excitement gets carried away in the wind of daily urgencies.

The best of intentions still have to be linked to a clear understanding of success principles in order to turn our visions into reality. Whether you have made a New Year’s resolution or decided, “Why bother?” (Remember, it is still not to late to make one for 2007) use the following suggestions to ensure success in making your resolution a reality:

1. Be aware of two critical elements: First, when creating the resolution in your mind, set it with Emotional Visualization. Picture the rewards or the end result of committing to your resolution. Second, be aware of the choices you are going to have to commit to in order to fulfill your resolution. Combining the above two elements will help you stretch in creating your resolution and at the same time keep it achievable.
2. Know why: At no point should you lose focus of the end product, why are you doing this? What will you achieve? How will it impact your life overall?
3. Create a Plan of Action: Break down the work that is involved into manageable tasks. Do not try and tackle it all at once. Work up to it little by little as this will create a routine and a habit you can get used to.
4. Refine every step of the way: Stay calculated. Make sure you measure along the way what is working for you, so you can refine your plan. Making a plan of action is nothing more than planning the route of a road trip. There will always be detours that you will face along your journey. Here is where you need to be flexible enough to refine your plan along the way as needed.
5. Treat yourself: Celebrate every step of the way. Reward yourself for every successful step.

I wish you and your family all happiness and health in 2007.
Fred Sarkari

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