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Why New Year’s Resolutions are the Worst and Best of Times

Death, taxes and new year’s resolutions. You can count on all of them. Isn’t it amazing that in spite of their poor record of success, many people continue to make a declaration at the beginning of January about what will be different by the end of the year. Sad thing is that by mid February most people’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside only to be resurrected the following year.

Why resolutions are the worst of times

• There’s nothing magic about January 1st.
No more so than April 23rd, June 17th or October 4th. The worst thing about making a resolution on January 1st is that you may not be ready. Change happens in stages and “thinking about it” is a legitimate stage. If you are still rolling it around in your mind and you try to leap ahead into the action stage, you’re bound to get stuck – quickly.

• Resolutions teach you about failure.
When you repeatedly declare that you are going to do something and then you don’t, you send yourself – and others – the message that your word is no good. Year after year when you don’t stick to your resolution you teach yourself that you are not a successful person – you’re someone who can’t commit or follow through.

• Planning, or lack of it, is your downfall.
Most people commit one of two planning mistakes. They fail to plan at all and simply jump both feet first with no consideration for strategies, support systems or contingencies. Or they spend all of their time planning without ever taking the step into action – planning as a method of procrastination. Either way, planning becomes the weakest link.

No wonder people abandon their resolutions so quickly. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Why resolutions are the best of times

• January is a time of renewal.
There are times in the year that hold the possibility of new beginnings. Just like springtime and back to school in the fall, January is a time when we naturally consider change. Reflecting on what you have, and haven’t accomplished in the past year and looking ahead to the coming year just seems like a natural thing to do.

• Collective energy can propel you forward.
With others considering, talking about and hopefully creating something different, in January the energy of change is all around. While it might only last for a few weeks, that energy can be a great motivating force to help you get started. If you are ready to make a change now is a perfect time to get started.

• Resources are abundant.
There’s no better time to access resources and take advantage of special offers than in January. From personal trainers to professional organizers, there are some great deals available at the beginning of the year to help you build a success circle that can educate, encourage and support you.

It’s up to you.

You get to decide whether this year’s resolution will be the best or worst of times. Not everyone abandons their goals. One in four people are actually successful. Make this the year that you resolve to make it – whatever it is – happen.

Laurel Vespi, certified life coach and chief executive guru of stone circle coaching, ignites individuals & businesses to new levels of CHANGE. Laurel works with clients internationally, providing unconventional yet practical tips that make the seemingly impossible... possible!

Sign up for Laurel’s free ezine, inside the circle, and receive the bonus article “Five Steps to Finding Your Life Path.” www.stonecirclecoaching.com