Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash
Have you stuck with your New Year's resolutions? If you're like most people, by now you're feeling a little less determined. We often talk about change and have good intentions, but don't follow though with action. So what prevents us from changing? Maybe our fears and insecurities get in the way. We're not sure we can be successful or consistent so we decide not to bother. Or maybe we have significant self-doubt and question our abilities to persevere through the uncomfortableness and even pain associated with change. Sometimes pride and the need for control may present in the form of stubbornness to prevent change. For example, we've been told by those we love and respect that change would be good, but would prefer it be our idea and decision. There are a host of excuses as to what prevents us from changing such as our busyness, limited resources, lack of support, laziness, or just don't want to. We may even blame others for our inability to change and avoid any responsibility for our actions. Of course, change can also be adding something new and positive into your life rather than taking away something bad and destructive. Often change requires sacrifice, but also can have great rewards. So what do you want to change for 2020?
A change I'll be making this year is moving from my weekly written blog to a weekly video blog. It has been over ten years since I first started blogging and thought it was time for me to switch to speaking instead of writing my content. With my recent TEDx talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucz6aWoIR1E&t=5s and desire to increase my speaking experience and exposure I figured why not offer my information through a medium that I prefer. My hope is that the insights, suggestions, and content will still be valuable and that the delivery of the information may be more entertaining, creative, and enjoyable. I will begin this new format next week and will include an introduction video along with my first topic. I will continue to offer weekly short video segments with the intention of making them less than five minutes long. Some of you may prefer to read while others would rather watch or listen. Feel free to let me know which you prefer and why. You can continue to watch these vlogs through my various social media forums including FaceBook, Linked-In, Twitter, and Instagram.
So how do we go about succeeding in our New Year's resolutions? We need a game plan and specific goals that are measurable and attainable. It also helps to have a support network of family and friends who can encourage us and hold us accountable. We need to be reminded that change is often difficult and requires patience, perseverance, and discipline. But most importantly, remember that change occurs through action, not just through our words. Build in a reward system and reinforce incremental changes as they occur. It's also important to forgive ourselves when we get off track and work at quickly getting back on the right path. Visualize the changes you want to make in yourself and experience the triumph as you anticipate success. Lastly, never give up and push to the finish line as you better yourself. You got this!