Ok ok ok... I know we are half way through February and on our way to March, however, this posting is for those that are having a hard time jump starting there year. 2011 can and will be a great year we just have to get in the habit of making some adjustments. Like the old saying goes,
"If you do what you've always done...your going to get what you've always got"
So with that being said let's just dive right in.
I know at the start of every new year everyone has many different goals and resolutions that are often unrealistic and become to overwhelming to attain. The key to change is starting with your mindset. I firmly believe that a person can't do better if they don't know better. Everything starts in the mind. I know this is often easier said then done sometimes...I get that. However, sometimes we have to stop feeding bad habits and old ways of doing things and start creating positive new ways of doings things. For instance, statistics show that the #1 New Years resolution from all walks of life is weight loss. So, if your goal or resolution is to lose weight, first you must check your motives...is this something that you want to do for yourself or is someone else suggesting that you lose weight? Are you losing weight for a specific purpose ie- wedding or other important life event, etc. If these or any other rationals like these are your main motivation for attaining this goal then you may not be satisfied with your end results.
I know at the start of every new year everyone has many different goals and resolutions that are often unrealistic and become to overwhelming to attain. The key to change is starting with your mindset. I firmly believe that a person can't do better if they don't know better. Everything starts in the mind. I know this is often easier said then done sometimes...I get that. However, sometimes we have to stop feeding bad habits and old ways of doing things and start creating positive new ways of doings things. For instance, statistics show that the #1 New Years resolution from all walks of life is weight loss. So, if your goal or resolution is to lose weight, first you must check your motives...is this something that you want to do for yourself or is someone else suggesting that you lose weight? Are you losing weight for a specific purpose ie- wedding or other important life event, etc. If these or any other rationals like these are your main motivation for attaining this goal then you may not be satisfied with your end results.
Then on the other hand you may like your results, however they will be short lived and will quickly leave you unsatisfied. Change has to become apart of your lifestyle, and in this case instead of going on the "emotional diet roller coaster", how about creating some new eating habits that you can use long term- ie: reducing your portion sizes and curbing your appetite with glasses of water or increase or start an exercise regiment. Because this is a lifestyle change you want to gradually ease into it...so that you don't become overwhelmed and give up to quickly. This way you will be able to see the results and keep the weight off permanently. Also, this is another opportunity to check your motives especially where your relationship with food is concerned. Are your poor eating habits a result of stress, anxiety, generational habits, or even just for comfort. It is very important that we evaluate ourselves on a daily basis just to make sure we know what are motives are and in doing so we are able to get to the root or the heart of hidden issues.
Getting real and honest with yourself on a daily basis is very vital where change is concerned. Honesty helps you become vulnerable enough to see the change happen in your life. Being vulnerable means that you have humbled yourself and that you are not allowing your pride to defeat you before you even begin. Pride is an evil villain to change. We will discuss this arch nemesis in later postings.
Although, the example was about weitght loss, this new found way of thinking can transcend to any area that you want to see change. The key is to recognize the area where you need to change, understand why you do what you do, and then create new habits and alternative ways of doing things so that you are no longer feeding into your old habits. If you don't think about it you wont be tempted. I'm going to end with a quote I read in a book entitled: Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin you guys should pick it up:
"You need a dream to keep you focused and disciplined"
You have to already see yourself changed, and once you can see yourself changed in your specific area, that essentially becomes your dream or vision... The new and improved you. Once you get that dream on the inside of you, you will then be empowered to resist all the temptations to revert back to your old ways because you want that dream to become your reality. Whatever it is, you can do it! I believe in you... All you have to do is start believing in yourself!
Challenge: Evaluate yourself and find an area that can use some improvement. Then apply some of the tips suggested in this posting and watch and see your results.Now that you have been Enlightened...go Enlighten someone else!
"You need a dream to keep you focused and disciplined"
You have to already see yourself changed, and once you can see yourself changed in your specific area, that essentially becomes your dream or vision... The new and improved you. Once you get that dream on the inside of you, you will then be empowered to resist all the temptations to revert back to your old ways because you want that dream to become your reality. Whatever it is, you can do it! I believe in you... All you have to do is start believing in yourself!
Challenge: Evaluate yourself and find an area that can use some improvement. Then apply some of the tips suggested in this posting and watch and see your results.Now that you have been Enlightened...go Enlighten someone else!
Over and out!
Na'Tasha Nicole
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ReplyDeleteWow! This is so true. I think that is...or WAS my problem. I had so many things to focus on that I became overwhelmed and would end up just quitting all together. I think I was trying to just "eat the whole pie" instead of "consuming smaller portions". It really is about making a life style change instead of a quick bandwagon resolution.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to pride being an enemy of change...mannnn that is so true? Honestly, I cannot go through and pinpoint all of the things in this post that essentially opened my eyes, but I will say that it does take humility and that is not always an easy thing. It forces you to look at your own efforts and criticize yourself even if your intentions were good. It makes you take a step back and say "what am I doing wrong"... it takes a BIG person to do that.
Change first, is mental.
I once heard someone say that " you have to see it before you see it, in order to see it" and I believe that your last paragraph piggybacks that quotation. I have to see myself changed, living the good life and walking out my heart's desire b/c if I don't see it, who else will?
I have heard inspirations before, but things are different when they become tangible...or blogged...Not to sound cliché but I really do feel empowered by this post!
I must rejuvenate and revamp...then, I have to hold on to my vision!
If I don't do anything with my dreams, then God can always give them to someone else.