Wait, what about my 2007 Resolutions?

Today I pulled out last year’s list of New Year’s Resolutions, and although some things made me smile, I have to admit that many made me frown. Staying focused is hard work! It’s just too easy to accept the way things are. After all, things are ok. Of course things could be better, but really everything’s just fine. This may seem a little trite, but it’s true – things are usually ok, and when times seem hard and a little cloudy, everything always seems to somehow work itself out.

So what is it about the beginning of a new year that gets people thinking differently and wanting more?

Here is my simple theory:

We always want more, we deserve more and we can have more, but we’re too tired, stressed out, de-motivated, and simply don’t want it bad enough. The truth is, most of our goals are at our finger tips, and we know it. But never the less, we find ourselves listing out our ambitions and promising positive change at the beginning of each New Year, which really just allows us another year to procrastinate. And, if we’re lucky, we can tick one or two items off the list at the end of the year.

Think back to the time that you wanted something so badly that you said to yourself – “Man I would do anything to make this happen.” Chances are you can’t put your finger on more than a few. Not because you haven’t wanted much, but because most likely you did not have to do much to accomplish your goal. Now think back to the last time things seem to be a little rocky and unstable, and you said to yourself “Man, I don’t know what I am going to do.” I am sure you can recall a few of those times, and I bet with a little effort, what seem like a really difficult situation just magically worked itself out.

The truth is, there was no magic involved, there was just you who got off your tired, stressed out, de-motivated butt and worked it out. My girlfriends and I call this the “Single Mother Hustle.” Fortunately, we all have it in us. Unfortunately, we only leverage it when we are knocked out of our comfort zone.

It’s really quite simple. Don’t resolve to do better, just do better! In fact, don’t write down your goals, write down your strategy. You have to need it, not want it. Don’t waste time on the small stuff, dream big, think outside the box and go for the gusto. Its just a little hustle away!

Stand Up in 2008

If you don’t stand up for something, you will easily fall for anything....

My motto for this year is “STAND UP!” This year I vow to stand up for myself in every aspect of my life. I will no longer allow myself to be pushed around by anything or anybody.

First, I vow to stand up to myself. Sometimes I can be my biggest enemy. I find myself always getting in my own way. In fact, I know myself better than anyone and better than I know anyone else, but yet – I always seem to let myself down.

Is it just me, or do you often find yourself feeling disappointed in yourself? Why do we tell ourselves we are going to do it differently next time, but end up failing in the same way each time? Why do we promise to take better care of ourselves, but allow others to treat us any kind of way?

Why – because we are so busy trying not to let anyone else down that we always seem to let ourselves down.

In 2008, stand up for you, take care of you, love you, motivate you, encourage you; then you will find yourself with more patience and time to love on your children and loved ones, more motivation to go the extra mile at work, more dedication to reach some of those long-term goals, and finally – more authority, which demands respect and creates unbelievable confidence that keeps people in check.

If you don’t stand up for you, everything else will easily fall….