Remember when you were a kid playing games with your friends? If you or your friends messed up or missed something, you gave each other a “do over.” Christians call this “mercy” and “grace.”

Everyone wants a “do over” in life. That’s one of the many reasons we set New Year Resolutions. We want a “do over” – start again and try to master something that has been out of control or get rid of something that has be controlling us.

Here is a list of some of the most common resolutions people make:

Loose weight – Obesity in the U.S. is at an all time high. I’m no stranger to this problem – I need to shed some excess pounds myself. It’s easy to rationalize it (big bones, heredity, etc.). Bottom line is I eat too much and exercise too little.

Exercising regularly – Most of us in the U.S. are far too sedentary. Most of our jobs (mine included) are sedentary. Most of the things I enjoy doing are also, unfortunately also sedentary (reading, sewing, crochet, watching movies, etc.). I need to step up my activity levels.

Quit smoking – While this is not a personal problem for myself, many struggle with this, especially young people. Smoking is still seen as “hip, cool, radical” or “gangster/street smart” or “tough.” While smoking is not advertised as it once was, I am noticing more people in movies and on TV smoking (always geared to young people).

Reduce stress – Accomplishing this can take many forms: reducing clutter, simplifying the way you live, changing jobs, etc. Getting organized is a great way to help with stress reduction.

Get organized – I saved my favorite for last! How can getting organized help with loosing weight, starting an exercise routine or quit smoking? Cleaning out your pantry of non-healthy food items, restocking with healthier choices and putting them where they are easier to reach can help. Clearing out the clutter in one area of your house and dedicating it as a space to exercise is a start. Rearranging your home in a new configuration and removing items such as ash trays, lighters, etc. can put you into a new routine that can help you overcome the cigarettes.

Whether you realize it or not, what you do and don’t do matters.

Why?

Because . . . Everything Counts!

Another term for setting “resolutions” is “goal setting.” There was a time when I simply didn’t set goals due to fear and disappointment. I didn’t know how to set goals and didn’t know how to follow through to achieve them when I did set them. I would either set an impossibly high goal or, I would set a reasonable goal, but didn’t know the steps to follow through to achieve the goal. After many frustrating starts and stops, I simply quit setting goals. I mistakenly assumed there was something wrong with me. It took many years for me to discover how to set goals properly and achieve the goals I set.

If this sounds like you, take heart! It is possible to learn how to set goals and achieve them. I’m living proof!

The first step in the process to getting more out of your resolutions/goals is to identify your true values. This is your “heart” and where you operate from. Our “true values” often change throughout our lifetime. Be aware, however, that one of the obstacles to achieving our resolutions/goals is that we often deceive ourselves about what is truly “valuable” to us. Being ruthlessly honest with ourselves is often difficult, but very necessary if we are to become all we want to become in a healthy way.

There are other steps, such as creating a “Personal Strategic Plan.” The steps to breaking through this year are at your fingertips. Take advantage of them!

Buzz it up!

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