Is it really a waste of time to make New Year’s Resolutions? I don’t think so…maybe the issue we face is the way we view New Year’s Resolutions? Maybe if we call them what they really are, (goals)….we’ll have better results when it comes to keeping promises to ourselves.
Goals: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.
Through life lessons I’ve learned that Goal Setting is the key to creating life’s happy moments. It’s wonderful to have a thought, idea, dream and an expectation, but if you don’t create a plan in how you’re going to reach it, it will NEVER happen. And although miracles do happen, most of what we want to achieve doesn’t even require miracles, just hard work and a plan. For example, if you want to save $1000 in 2015, that doesn’t take a miracle, that takes making a sacrifice in your budget every pay period and putting it into an account that you don’t touch for 12 months. There’s even a reward for your dedication, it’s called interest!
In 2008, I received a layoff notice that gave me a year, 12 months, to find employment. Immediately, (if you know me, you’ll understand this), my brain started going through different scenarios. “Ok, I’ll be a middle age, African American women competing against college students, MBAs and other very capable professionals in the job market.” And to add to the dilemma, there were massive layoffs happening everywhere. Business professionals were taking jobs in department stores to make ends meet, so securing a new job would only happen if I made myself marketable.
The only solution that I could come up with was to finish what I started years ago, obtain my bachelor’s degree. There was no way I could make the amount of money that I needed to sustain my way of life without being a competitive part of the job market. So, I signed up for Thomas Edison State College and even though it took me a while, I finished my degree and also became a certified Project Manager.
I had a definite need, set a goal to meet it, created a plan, stayed focused, cried a lot and reached my goal. It wasn’t easy but it was my goal and I HAD to reach it.
Please DO NOT make the fatal mistake of not setting goals in 2015! If the 3 words, “New Year’s Resolutions,” are a problem for you, then change your Language! Set the goal, make the plan, take action and Go for it!
To reach your goals in 2015, you will have to put on horse blinders! Train yourself to be one directional.
Put on blinders to all external ideas, comments, negative conversations and other people’s goals. Focus on Your Goals, one at a time! Reach one and move to the next one. It’s good to be a blessing to others and to help others reach their goals. But when do you focus on your goals and aspirations? I have always been an overachiever and when I don’t reach what I set out to do, I beat myself up pretty bad. So, I’ve learned that you have to take it one step at a time because just like a baby that’s learning to walk, if you run you’ll fall.
I hope I’ve helped somebody today to look at resolutions or goals in a different light. Use different language, call it what you want but whatever you do, set a 2015 goal and reach it. Write the book, finish your degree, save some $$, lose 50 lbs, put a ring on it, move into your new home, go for it!
Peace, Ms. Ellie’s Girl!