Rewarding Aspirations

Most people by this time of the year have put together some sort of list (or resolutions, if you want to call them that), they want to achieve this year. If you haven’t done so, it is not too late. I haven’t done so either.

The last part of December was so busy for me that I hardly had any time to sit down and put thoughts to paper. Therefore, I am using January as a planning month for my year. And you can too. There is still more time to consider what your ‘resolutions’ are for this year.

I am sure we have all experienced or heard about the failure rate of most resolutions. It is said that by mid-February, most people give up and go back to their old way of living.

So to avoid being part of this statistic, I have been looking at different approaches to make my ‘resolutions’ more successful. I want to be able to look back this time next year with a renewed sense of accomplishment.

There is a common theme that runs in all the resolutions we make. Do you know what it is? “Stop it.” “Stop doing this,” “stop doing that.” Who likes being told to “stop it?” Remember when you were a child? Well it isn’t any different now. What happens when you are doing something that you don’t find enjoyable?

You stop doing it. Perhaps that is why most resolutions fail. When your resolutions aren’t enjoyable and only focus on what you can’t do they might not last very long at all.

I will be the first to admit that there are definitely things that we must stop doing to make our lives better. But then how about some positive and uplifting resolutions instead of the usual negative ones? With a little shift in mindset from penalizing to rewarding, from self-deprivation to provision, detriment to benefit, you can make your goals more attainable.

Let me give you an example. How does “stop unhealthy eating”, “wake up earlier”, ”get out of debt”, “limit caffeine”, sound to you? Now think about these phrases and tell me how it sounds to you? “Eat more fruits and vegetables”, “go to bed an hour earlier”, “make positive changes in my spending and saving habits” and “drink more water.” Do you see a difference? The first list has a negative connotation and the second list has a more positive one. Although the items on each list are worded differently, the outcome is the same.

For instance, when you eat more fruits and vegetables, you are improving your diet and making it healthier. When you go to bed earlier, then you will be able to wake up earlier. When you adopt positive spending habits, you will save money and eventually be able to pay off any debt and when you drink more water, it goes without saying that you will drink less of other drinks.

We are almost in the third week of January. Have you yet figured out what you want to do differently or improve this year in lifestyle - body and wellness, relationships and financial? What one thing will mean the difference in actually achieving your goals rather than adding them to yet another year’s unfulfilled resolutions?

If you have a list (written or mental), look over your list, does it seem like each item involves some sacrifice or self-denial? I once read that “enjoyment is the fuel we need to reach the finish line of an endeavor with a good attitude.” If you can create something positive that brings you joy and success, you are more likely to create more of it. I believe it works to some extent.

So this year as I put together my list, I will pay special emphasis to the words I use. The key is to focus on what you will do rather than on what you will not do. Think about how you want to feel at the end of it rather than what you have to give up. By doing so, you find that the result will be greater empowerment and inspiration to make and sustain positive changes. The key phrase here is “Rewarding Aspirations.”

You need your healthy lifestyle to work for you. It doesn’t matter how awesome your goals are. If you can’t stick with it, it won’t do you any good. What’s the point of a resolution if it is doomed to failure?

And thinking about rewards, why not add some one or two enjoyable things that are good for you on the list. Do you need any ideas? Think of giving yourself a treat like a manicure, pedicure, enjoy a massage or buy something nice for yourself.

I hope we all have better success this year as we work on our ‘rewarding aspirations.’ I will be cheering you on. Go for it!

The writer is a Lifestyle Coach & Author of The Seduction of food’
barbs_sai@hotmail.com