New Year Resolutions

Did you ring in the new calendar year with a long list of resolutions? Most of us find those resolutions fading away before January 31st. This can be extremely frustrating. So, what to do if you find yourself setting goals only to see them fall by the wayside? Part of the issue may be unrealistic expectations and goals. Breaking down desired goals and resolutions into a reasonable process, supported by self-acceptance and love, can help set you up to succeed.

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It can be helpful to understand that if you attempt to go directly from point A to point Z, you skip key steps and the important building blocks that facilitate sustained long-term change. Doing this sets you up for failure.

For example, if you have been drinking six cups of coffee a day for the past fifteen years and ring in the new year resolving, “no more coffee ever again!”. Without a baby step-by-baby step plan in place that supports gradual changes, chances are you will probably have a nice cup of hot coffee in your hands the very next morning.

A new calendar year, birthdays, or the beginning of any cycle provides the perfect opportunity to reflect, refresh, and renew on all levels. Taking the time to regroup and re-evaluate what is working and what is not working in your life affords the occasion to fine tune any current intentions or goals. Letting go and releasing that which is not working in your life actually makes room for positive change.

Looking toward, not only setting new intentions, but also looking to fill in areas of your life where healthy supports may be lacking, provides a sense of clarity. Re-evaluating current intentions and goals supports sustainable change. This is foundational to the ability to take positive action and follow through day to day with what is needed to actually reach your desired intentions and goals.

Breaking down your goals into bite size pieces shifts your sense of overwhelm and frustration into attainable life changes.

Here are some helpful suggestions to get you started:

Leave self-judgment behind. Self-judgment eats away at your confidence and undermines all your hard work. When you spend time beating yourself up, all those negative thoughts set you up to fail. All that self-driven negativity creates a no win spin. Energy follows focus. Remember, you are human. We all stumble sometimes. Do your best to keep it positive! “You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Mary Pickford
Accept and honor where you are right now. Unless you can accept where you are, there you will stay. Accepting the present circumstance and moment is key in facilitating change. Lack of acceptance of what is, sets a tone of resistance. When we resist what is, we create blocks to shifting and changing our experience. When we accept what is, we create a positive flow in which anything is possible.
Take a retrospective view. Taking the time to look back and review life events opens the opportunity to release and let go of that which no longer serves you. When you let go of the past and what is no longer working in your life, you make room for positive changes. Letting go of what is hurtful and unhelpful allows space for new helpful and healing energies to enter your life. Reflecting on the past also opens up the possibility to embrace a deeper sense of gratitude. Being thankful for what is working in your life supports a positive outlook. Remember, energy follows focus.
Clarify your vision. Do you know what you want to change? It is important to have a clear sense of what you want in order to set a solid intention. Lack of clarity and confusion muddy the waters of manifestation. Take the time to truly come to understand what you want to change.
Build a foundation of balance. In order to support true and lasting change, it is important to be supported and as balanced as possible on all levels. Change needs a balanced foundation to rest upon. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just look to the scales of balance and try to tip them more toward the healthy and helpful side of things. Do you need to fine tune anything in your life? Check in with yourself and shore up areas that are lacking support.
Taking action. Come up with a baby step-by baby step plan. What action, or actions, are necessary to reach your desired vision, intention, and goal? Set realistic goals. Take an honest look at where you are, what you want to change, and the steps needed to get from where you are now to where you want to be. Break it all down into a doable timeline—step by step. Allow space and time for integration of steps and changes along the way. Setting reasonable goals makes them attainable. When you make it doable, you set yourself up for success.
Be patient, kind, compassionate, and loving with yourself. It takes time to change and integrate new habits. The more patient and loving you are with yourself, the quicker change will happen in your life. Not only that, it is foundational in supporting that long lasting change you are seeking.

So, the next time you feel your resolutions and goals slipping out of reach, try breaking them down into bite size pieces!

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Rev Ann Rene

About the author

I am a holistic healing practitioner, spiritual minister, and teacher who holds a broad spectrum of certifications and training in alternative as well as traditional healing therapies. I have traveled the world extensively studying wise woman healing techniques, energy medicine, shamanism, witchcraft, indigenous spirituality, and esoteric teachings. Soul Song Healing Guidance is the name of my healing and teaching practice. I have spent over thirty years empowering beautiful souls through heart centered energetic holistic healing support, intuitive guidance, and spiritual counsel. Additionally, I offer extremely unique handcrafted artesian metaphysical products, original artwork, classes, and individual healing sessions.
In Peace and Love,

Rev Ann Rene