Stepping Into the New Year with Resolve

​About the Author: Kate Olson, CPC, CHt, is a Life Transformation Coach, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner & Reiki Master practicing in Seattle, WA, as founder of Northern Lights Life Coaching. She does workshops & classes, as well as, individual and group coaching. Her emphasis is on guiding clients in finding path, purpose and peace. She focuses on integration of mind, body and spirit wellness. It is her mission to help clients find joy through connection, creativity and change facilitation. She is passionate about the arts, travel, the environment, personal growth, family and living with joyful purpose. She has a second wellness-related business offering Salt Therapy, Salt Works Saltariums. Salt Therapy offers an all natural treatment solution for respiratory and skin issues.

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  It is always with great anticipation that we welcome in a New Year! It signals the end of one cycle and the beginning of something new.  A chance to start over with a clean slate or another chance to once again, with new vigor and motivation, set upon achieving our goals, aspirations and dreams. It is customary to make resolutions or commit ourselves to a new course of action. It is the traditional time when we start the new diet, commit to make it to the gym or start that much needed exercise program. We resolve to eat healthier, quit bad habits, go back to school, get that job we want or quit the one we don't want. We vow to find the love of our lives, start a business, write a book, be a better person in any number of ways, pursue our passion, make new friends, get out more, travel, work harder or maybe less, spend time with family, control our temper, pay attention to our health, go to the dentist, climb that mountain, remodel the kitchen, reorganize the garage or clean and organize the house. Well, that barely covers it all, but you get the idea. We have a list of things which we are currently unhappy with and we resolve, once again, to finally make the changes we think will lead to greater happiness and satisfaction in our lives.
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  Some people do actually succeed in sticking to and achieving the "Resolutions" they set for the New Year. Most, however, stay on track only until they start hitting a few obstacles and their resolve dwindles to excuses, "oh wells" and feelings of frustration, failure or fated self-determination. Why is this? Why do we start out with such a positive outlook and good intentions accompanied by the fireworks and celebration and then fizzle like a spent firecracker? Does it have to be this way? Should we make resolutions at all? Is there a better way?

  While we don't need to make resolutions or start our new goals at the beginning of the New Year, it is good to have goals and a plan for achieving them.  And yes, it is possible to actually reach your goals and there are certain behaviors and actions that will give you a better chance of not falling into the 92% that failure to keep their resolutions or reach their goals. If you follow the tips below, you will have a better chance of successfully achieving your goals! Remember though that it is not a race and there is no specific start and finish time for your goals, unless you set those deadlines yourself. It is not linked to the lunar calendar! You can start on your own schedule and progress at whatever rate you decide. However, if you want to make your goals come to life, there are some definite steps to greatly increase the odds. Listed below are some tried and true suggestions for achieving the goals you set for yourself:​

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1. Choose a goal that is something you genuinely want, rather than something you feel you should do or someone else thinks you should do.  
2. If you want to achieve more than one goal, limit it to no more than 2 or 3 goals that you are working toward at one time. 
3. Be specific about what you want to achieve and write it down with as much detail as possible. .
4. Make a plan with the steps you need to take to achieve your end goal clearly indicated. Break it down into small steps.
5. Visualize your outcome and what it will be like to achieve your goal. How will it feel? What will you gain by reaching this goal? Really see yourself doing it and believe you are there.
6. Be prepared for resistance and doubts when they pop up (they will) and be ready to counter them with the vision of your positive outcome!
7. Share your goals only with trusted and supportive friends and family. You don’t need any critics. Surround yourself with supporters and positivity!
8. If you slip up along the way, forgive yourself and get back on course. Recommit to your goal! You will only fail, if you quit! You might need to make adjustments and change course, but if you persevere you will reach your destination.  

  Here we are in Mid-February and the year is well under way, however, it is not too late to “Step into the New Year with Resolve” and make those goals and dreams into successful accomplishments for 2017! I can and I will! How about you?