Balanced Resolutions

It's a busy time of year, seasonal shopping, celebrations, lots of food and late nights. Routines are broken and priorities shifted. How do we get back on track after the glow fades away? Well ideally we don't let it get so out of control that we loose perspective and it won't be too hard to re-committ to our previous routines. Also, we can look at it as an opportunity to re-focus and move forward.

I like to compare times like this to working out. Sometimes we train and train and hit a plateu, take a break and come back with a new program, new perspective and stronger determination and we bust through those blocks and begin to make gains again. Well after working hard on our 2011 goals and making progress (even moderately) we can set our sights on a new beginning, 2012 look out here we come. But, there are a few tricks to setting resolutions and staying on track.

First, be realistic! If you have a goal get specific, what and more important WHY do we want to do or change that thing? We have to have the right mind set to be successful. Losing weight because we think we are supposed to look a certain way is not enough motivation for most people, but to lose weight to be healthier, live longer, feel better, have more energy AND look good (the way WE want to look) that is inspiring. Decide the best way to tackle your goals and be patient, baby steps usually are more effective then long strides. If you fall get up, dust off and resume, nothing is ever wasted or too late to correct. Take a healthy approach no matter what your goal and remember to stay in balance with your purpose and your beliefs. Set realistic goals and ones that are integrity with your vision, no one else knows YOU like you know you.



Second, take your time. if you have a few new habits you plan on tackling for the new year try introducing one at a time. On January 1st, a.k.a. keener day, we tend to jump on the resolution band wagon and burn ourselves out by January 15 (or sooner). Again, think balance, introduce one new habit at a time and allow it to marinate for a while, 4-6 weeks even, make it a real habit before add a new one. Start with the one thing that will make the most impact on your life now, in this moment. What is it? meditating, eating nutritiously, flossing?? it doesn't matter what it is just begin to practice it daily, consistently! When you feel you have mastered that habit introduce the next goal that will have the most impact on your life. Give yourself points for showing up each day and practice your new habit diligently, patiently, persistently and always playfully.

Third, be aware. Awareness is key, you can't make changes until you are aware that changes need to be made. When you catch yourself slipping back into old habits, check yourself, and correct it immediately. Don't be an "all or nothing" person, give yourself a +one for awareness and another +one for moving forward. Think about it, which do you really want, to step back into darkness or forward into the light? And, don't let the end destination loom large in the far off distance, enjoy the moment, the journey is meant to be the destination, a.k.a. LIFE.

                                    
                                                                Look not at  how for you have to go, 
                                                                                          but at how far you have come.



Finally, be gentle with yourself. Compare it to exfoliating your skin. If you are too rough and abrasive and remove too many layers at once you will be left raw and vulnerable, ooch. But, if you are gentle and patient, exposing the new and fresh layers bit by bit, the end result will be the glowing radiance of a new you.



Remember to keep your motives in the back of your mind, you should be doing this for you! if you think it is important you are more likely to incorporate it into your daily routine. You will begin to make it a priority and discover new ways to balance it with the other aspects of you life. I also really like the idea of "crowding" out the bad habits by filling the space with the good, whether that is nutritious food before junk, quality books vs romance novels or going for a walk instead of watching tv, and being creative and in integrity with ourselves.

My goal is to always be improving, moving up the ladder of self awareness, personal development and discovering balance in all the parts of my life that I find inspiring, fulfilling and worthy of the person I aim to be. I am a work in progress, and little by little the pieces of my life puzzle are coming together, but the cool part is the more I work on it the bigger my puzzle grows. I personally hope it never stops growing because I want to keep expanding and become the best that I can be and that is what it means to CYNERGIES your life.