How Are You Doing On Those 2008 Resolutions?

This headline triggers a range of emotions from guilt to regret to joy. It all depends on whether you’ve pursued any of the goals or changes you said you wanted to make in your life this year. Funny, we make plans, have good intentions, then life gets in the way. It happens to all of us. It might seem obvious to you but I think that the goals that we pursue are the ones we really want. We give a lot of lip service to ourselves…..Some people call it the “woulda, coulda, shoulda’s,” and I also call it the “yeah, buts..” We have a million excuses for why we can’t do something.

I knew that I needed to rewire some of my own energy this year; I had gotten out of balance, and too focused on other people’s lives, forgetting my own. Admitting that I needed to rewire was the first step. Then listening to myself about things that I said I wanted to do was the next step. An inner voice kept saying to me… “you’ve been wanting to get into yoga.” I had done yoga in India in December, loved it, and verbally made it a priority, but did nothing to make it a reality. Yoga is great for getting in touch with body, spirit, and soul, (www.yogabasics.com) so I thought that would be great for my rewiring journey. When I looked at my travel TO DO List I saw that KRIPULA a Retreat Center in the Berkshires had been on the list for three years (see what I mean about postponing things!) and I decided to go there for the Retreat and Relaxation weekend. Another one of my goals was to spend more quality time with friends. I didn’t just want to “do dinners.” So when a friends said, “I’m into yoga and would love to go to KRIPULA,” I knew there was no stopping me! All of the excuses were removed. I picked up the phone and got us a reservation. My husband said he’d have his own retreat weekend at home while I was away. (remember we don’t rewire in a vacuum!) Getting away allowed me time to reflect, take stock, and more importantly live in the moment, which isn’t always easy. The weekend was fun, fulfilling and a success for me and I had the chance to combine several goals.

Why am I telling you this? It’s an idea that might work for you. Maybe you should try repackaging a few goals. Getting rewired is about changing your mindset, then about changing your actions. When I looked at my goals, yes I actually wrote them out, I saw key themes that supported my desire for more balance and centeredness in my life. It’s just a beginning and I know I’ll make up excuses for why I can’t do yoga or see a friend but at least I’ll be more aware of my own excuses! I’ve also learned to breathe differently, (something I can do anywhere) and even discovered FitTV a channel that offers Namaste Yoga. It’s not even Spring yet and I’m on my way!

Don’t Drag Out the Same New Year’s Resolutions This Year

I’m tired of meeting woulda, coulda, shoulda people...you know who you are. You talk about the changes that you are going to make in the new year. You say that this is the year to get down to business, to plan, take action, get in control, and it sounds great, then nothing. We’ve all been there. There’s a gap between what we say, and what we do. There’s a lot of lip service going on. I’m not saying that we aren’t serious about making resolutions, or whatever we want to call them, I think that often the resolutions are things we think we “should” do. I’m challenging you to rewire your thinking about your resolutions! Yes, losing weight (weightwatchers.com), switching careers, (careerbuilder.com) volunteering (volunteermatch.com) or just getting your life in balance is good…but let me add a resolution that is a little different…Take the time to discover what makes you tick.

Yes, stop and reflect on YOU. Gain some SELF KNOWLEDGE.

Many people over 50, even 45, are thinking about their future...from the financial standpoint, but also from the “what can I do today to make life better today and tomorrow?” I say this is the year to take an inward journey…to discover what drives or motivates you. If you have no idea where or how to begin…check out the 85 drivers listed in DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! Look at your life and ask where am I getting fulfillment? And if it comes up a little empty then there’s your opportunity to add new activities. Start looking inside before you look outside for answers.

Make that a resolution!