The New Year is a time for renewal: letting go of the past, reworking goals, looking ahead, and making changes for the better. Most of what we determine to change or improve or even put behind us are not new goals, but a resurrecting of our old, unsuccessful or less than successful ones! If this observation resonates with you, know that you are certainly not alone! This is the typical experience for most people. What is truly amazing is that we continue to return to our failures and difficulties, revisit them and determine to conquer them once and for all.
Hooray for the human experience, in continuing to strive toward improvement! Assess your own experience and look back at the times you have made a concerted effort and taken a certain level of risk to conquer a fear, release a sad memory, heal from the loss in a relationship or lose the 10 pounds after much determined effort. Were you fully successful, never again needing to revisit your goals? If you are like most people, even after experiencing the thrill of success or the peace of resolution, the residual remains and sometimes returns with a true vengeance. When this happens, we are frequently surprised and conflicted about how we could have felt so fully successful – and at peace - if only a few months ago!
Begin today to acknowledge that the goals, dreams and hopes you own are more a work in progress than a one time mark of success. Allow your failures to support you and be willing to learn. Reflect on your aspirations and work in small ways to reach your larger goal. If fear and history of failure haunt you, acknowledge your fears.
Begin today to:
Work toward one small part of a larger goal – you will feel more encouraged to continue on
toward your larger goal.
Acknowledge your past and integrate your knowing into the present.
Confront your fears and get help and support from others if you need.
Take even small risks such as speaking up in class or volunteering for an organization – or learning a new skill - as this can energize you.
Find creative ways to laugh and have fun. Work on your sense of humor if you are not a natural!
Happy 2011!
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