Most of us have things about us that we would like to change, and really, with a small amount of effort could change. So why don’t we?
This question deserves some consideration. It may only take a small amount of effort to eat slightly less, exercise a bit more, put away things around the house that are cluttering up our space, or clean out something that’s been bugging us for years.
Postponed action exists. The reasons are many, but in the case of simple things, we can’t blame lack of time.
Generally there is an emotional reason why we don’t do things. If our house is tidy we will have to get on with what we really want to do. If we are slim and fit, what will that do to our self-image?
Procrastination techniques are wonderful at keeping us stuck. By analyzing the intent, we can explore the negative pay-off we get by not doing. Much of it boils down to fear of stepping out of our comfort zone.
It's good to be aware of our patterns as we make and keep our new years resolutions.
M.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Monday, January 02, 2006
New Years Resolutions, Time and Commitment
Hi:
Well, a bit more on new years' resolutions, or new year resolutions, if you like.
It seems that one of the barriers to keeping our goals is the time it takes to establish new habits. It's a great idea to exercise every day, but if it's going to take an hour of our already precious time, it may not happen.
How about starting with 10 minutes?
Another factor is that habits take about a month to establish. Twenty-one days is what some experts say, but whatever it is, the principal ingredients for habit change are establishment of the new pattern into your every day life and comfort and ability to do it on a regular basis.
This is why the "baby steps" approach often works.
Try lying down on the floor right now and doing ten sit-ups. It will only take 30 seconds or so, but if it's done every day, it will make a difference.
Good luck wishes don't count. Action does.
M.
Well, a bit more on new years' resolutions, or new year resolutions, if you like.
It seems that one of the barriers to keeping our goals is the time it takes to establish new habits. It's a great idea to exercise every day, but if it's going to take an hour of our already precious time, it may not happen.
How about starting with 10 minutes?
Another factor is that habits take about a month to establish. Twenty-one days is what some experts say, but whatever it is, the principal ingredients for habit change are establishment of the new pattern into your every day life and comfort and ability to do it on a regular basis.
This is why the "baby steps" approach often works.
Try lying down on the floor right now and doing ten sit-ups. It will only take 30 seconds or so, but if it's done every day, it will make a difference.
Good luck wishes don't count. Action does.
M.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
New Year's Resolutions
Hi:
Well, here we are again, at January 1. Got home at 2:30 am last night, and today is, well, going slowly.
Thinking about the new year, as many of us are want to do at this time of year. The holidays create a space for us to gear down from our workaday lives and this provides a bit of perspective.
There seems to be diametrically opposed views to resolutions made at this time of year. Some scoff and distainfully denounce such attempts. They can be quite cynical, and perhaps rightfully so.
The Y and fitness clubs have big jumps in membership in January. I remember being told in the locker room at the Y to be prepared for January. Every machine would be in use and the crowds would make it difficult to do anything. But, not to worry, she said, by the middle of the month the crowds would have thinned considerably.
Yet, I always make new years resolutions, and tend to work through them. Any progress is better than no progress. The key to moving forward to reach your goals is to first list and state your goals and then formulate a workable plan for reaching them.
Now is as good a time as any for starting. I hope, no, plan to make 2006 a memorable year. Working the plan does take effort. Yet it's my observation that those who live lives of quiet desperation are those who are unhappy with their lot but fail to make any effort to change it.
That's about it, I think. If you want to be happy, be happy.
Gotta go and do my exercises:).
M.
Well, here we are again, at January 1. Got home at 2:30 am last night, and today is, well, going slowly.
Thinking about the new year, as many of us are want to do at this time of year. The holidays create a space for us to gear down from our workaday lives and this provides a bit of perspective.
There seems to be diametrically opposed views to resolutions made at this time of year. Some scoff and distainfully denounce such attempts. They can be quite cynical, and perhaps rightfully so.
The Y and fitness clubs have big jumps in membership in January. I remember being told in the locker room at the Y to be prepared for January. Every machine would be in use and the crowds would make it difficult to do anything. But, not to worry, she said, by the middle of the month the crowds would have thinned considerably.
Yet, I always make new years resolutions, and tend to work through them. Any progress is better than no progress. The key to moving forward to reach your goals is to first list and state your goals and then formulate a workable plan for reaching them.
Now is as good a time as any for starting. I hope, no, plan to make 2006 a memorable year. Working the plan does take effort. Yet it's my observation that those who live lives of quiet desperation are those who are unhappy with their lot but fail to make any effort to change it.
That's about it, I think. If you want to be happy, be happy.
Gotta go and do my exercises:).
M.
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