2018 New Year's Resolutions - Develop the Skills to Achieve Them

 By Suzie Doscher
 
Instead of focusing on classic New Year's Resolutions:

• Exercise more, or start to exercise
• Lose Weight
• Stop smoking, drink less alcohol, drink more water
• Get organized
• Find more time for family and yourself, etc.

How about looking at 2018 as being the year of moving forward and making the kind of changes that stick forever?
 
Change your thinking in order to invest your time and energy to grow and develop yourself. Have a major impact on your home life as well as your professional life, no matter what your position is -- boss, leader or team member -- with some personal development.
 
Many of your desired 'resolutions' will be resolved with this approach. 
In fact, with time all of the habits you wish to change will be replaced with habits that leave you calm, satisfied, fulfilled, stimulated, energized and healthy. You will feel better, look better and be a better person. You can 'grow into your skin' - be the person you know you are. ...Click 'read more'

Personal Growth and Development
Life changes all the time, sometimes daily. During your lifetime you never stop growing, developing and learning which, of course, means changing. 
If you resist this, you run the risk of staying stuck! On the path of personal growth each step you take results in change. Imagine climbing a ladder. With each step your view changes and brings a new perspective.
 
For example, if the habit of saying 'Yes' all the time is draining you and you would like to work on changing that:
How about getting comfortable with saying 'no,' or ‘not now?'
It is not selfish to take better care of yourself. Taking better care of yourself allows you to take better care of others. However, it will no longer be at your expense and drain you.
 
Personal growth and development involves making choices that are right for you.
 
Here is how you do it:
Increase your awareness as to what needs to change by asking yourself these questions:

• What would make the biggest difference in my day-to-day life?
• What would make life easier, more in line with my goals, my beliefs, my values, my purpose? Is it something at work, at home or in my relationships?
• What exactly would make me happier, energized, excited, motivated and stimulated?

 
If finding the answers is difficult, then think of one thing that would make a difference in your daily life such as:

• Getting up 10 minutes earlier so you are not rushing to work / school, etc.
• Choosing one day per week that you will leave work on time
• Scheduling some down time so you are more present when you are with the family
• Practicing how to listen and communicate more effectively, for example, let a person speak until they are finished before you offer your opinion.

All solutions to problems are best broken down into smaller steps that are realistic and actionable.
Make good choices to ensure you get off to a good start:

• Choose one action
• Choose how to start
• Choose who can support you – hold you accountable
• Choose when to start
• Choose to be realistic with your expectations
• Choose to make your time frame realistic
• And always choose to be kind and patient with yourself along the way. It takes time and repetition to change things.

 
You will not change habits that have been part of you for some time with short-term actions. Do not set yourself up for failure – be realistic and allow yourself to make some mistakes. It is okay!
 
New Year's Resolutions frequently fail – change your approach.
Start on the path of personal growth and development rather than thinking in terms of New Year's Resolutions.
 
Get started today by making a list 'Things I am changing in 2018.'
​

Book a Coaching Session