Anti-Resolutions: What Not To Do To Help Make 2005 Your Best Yet
by Kathy Gates
Can you believe a New Year is here already? I believe
wholeheartedly in setting goals, setting intentions, deciding what you will do
over the next year. However, I also think it's equally important to know what
not to do.
Try these Anti-Resolutions to add some Don'ts to your day, and
see how it helps with all those Do's.
"I will not over-schedule my day." It seems like
scheduling every minute would be the logical way to get everything done, but it
actually tends to work against you. Some things will take longer than you
expected, some things will interfere that you can't predict. If you're scheduled
to the max, you'll have no room to absorb them, things will overrun, and
frustration will set in. Instead, aim for about 75% scheduled, 25% free.
"I will not say Yes to everything." Saying Yes to
everything is like cholesterol - it clogs your day with stuff you don't want
there. Doing other people's work, answering annoying phone calls, deleting junk
emails rob you of valuable time and energy. Realize that for every Yes Activity,
you have also created a No Activity. Make sure you are saying Yes to what you
intend to. .
"I will no longer put what I want at the moment over what I
want in the long run." That extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning might
seem like the best thing since sliced peanut butter, but you know it will only
make you late, and then playing catch up the rest of the day. That new pair of
shoes may seem like the last pair you'll ever need, but if it makes the rent
money tight, it's not worth it. Think about the long term effects of your
actions today.
"I will no longer get duped into the "I can have it all"
idea." Having it all is certainly possible, either by having it at different
times in your life, or by having a whole lot of help (think Kelly Ripa or Katie
Couric). Their few spare minutes are certainly not spent grocery shopping or
cleaning bathrooms. So please, lose the Super-Woman idea attached to it.
"I will no longer get trapped in media microwave mentality."
Things take time. Life is not a sit-com, and few things are resolved in 30
minutes or less. Appreciate the various stages of projects and goals as well as
the outcome. Goals, home projects, or getting a degree, or even getting your
schedule organized are all a process. Determine to make each day as special as
the end result.
"I won't give up." Never give up. When you mess up, or
when the wind of life comes barreling in unannounced - and it will - being
prepared as best you can will give you the strength to be able to move on. When
it seems like there's no answer, push on. The answer may be just around the next
corner. Don't let fear, or anger, or frustration, or your money, or your
in-laws, stop you from living your life. Keep going. This is your year!
Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates helps people who are burned out, stressed
out, and fed up deal with every day living in a more organized and efficient
manner. Start your New Year off right with a Trial Coaching Special at
www.reallifecoach.com. Visit today!