Each January seems to bring new resolutions for most of us. Are you ready to keep them this year? That is, keep them past the first week (or month) of 2011? The best way to do that is to beat the gap between talking your talk and walking your walk!
Now that we’re half-way through the year, it’s time to consider…
According to Jerold Mitchell at WPS Payroll, “There’s not just a gap between talking and walking. There’s a chasm as big as the Grand Canyon.”
We see this vividly in a scene from 2005’s Hustle & Flow, written by Craig Brewer, where DJay (Terrence Howard ) and Key (Anthony Anderson) are discussing getting a project done. In response to DJay’s offer to “help,” Key shoots off with some wisdom worth noting.
“There’s two kinds a people. There’s those who talk the talk and there’s those who walk the walk. People who walk the walk, they sometimes talk the talk but most of the times they don’t need to talk cuz they walkin’.”
This year, like every year, plenty of people have made resolutions and already given up on them. They’re still talking but not ready for the walking –through the work and fear- to reach real results.
Fear is natural. We all tend to fear the unknown. Still, stepping through one fear often helps us build the courage to step through another. It’s simply an “If I can do this, then I can surely do that!” effect. Take one step at a time. Goals are more easily reached in a series of small and achievable increments.
People in the habit of setting goals tend to reach them, and then set new ones, so that they are always realizing new accomplishments. Goals can come in two sizes: BIG and small. Setting small goals to keep us headed toward the big ones is often the best way to achieve them all.
What are your goals for 2011? What do you want – more time, more money, more health, more happiness? Write down your desires, along with ideas on how you can make them come true. Be good to yourself and skip the part where you remind yourself why it won’t work. Dwelling on the negative rarely helps anyone. To coin a phrase, “Keep your eyes on the prize.”
Einstein said that the definition of “insanity” is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you want new results, it’s time to do something new. In other words, if you want something you’ve never had, you’ll need to do something you’ve never done.”
Want to rock your world this year? Do something entirely new that will create a rush of adrenaline, accomplishment and exhilaration in order to propel you forward.
First, define your success. Second, consider what’s in your way. Hint: It’s not money. If you think its money, tell me what you would use the money for and we’ll get to the meat of the matter. Third, create a list of possible solutions and find one (or more) that will work.
Finally, do something new that will help you get “un-stuck” from your old habits and out of your rut. I did this last year in a few ways… As a business professional, it’s important to use both left-brain and right-brain skills for brainstorming good ideas and taking action. I went to David Bransky at the Alphabiotic Studio (http://destressla.com) in Santa Monica to get an “alignment.” Now, I’m much more effective and productive!
Once you’ve set yourself up to do things differently, achieve your goals (rather than abandoning another list of failed resolutions) by taking a deep breath and walking your walk!!
We're all given three tools for finding solutions: time, energy, and resources.
Time is a flat currency, only 24 hours in a day no matter who you are. It’s the same for everyone, even overachievers like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates and the Google guys.
Energy comes in two forms -- physical and mental/emotional. What you do with your energy often determines how effective you are in everything else. This is one reason why physical health is so important in the lives of successful people. If you’re sick or tired (or sick and tired), it’s tough to increase your productivity. If you’re already overwhelmed, how can you deal with more?
If stress is stopping you, try acupuncture or massage to release the extra tension that bad weather (and traffic) can cause. If your system is out-of-sync, fix it! You can find a variety of options, from mainstream to esoteric, through the Member Directory at http://TheHolisticChamberofCommerce.com. Maintaining your health by staying well on a daily basis is what enables you to receive more results. You’ll be alert and focused at work. Then, you can actually enjoy your R&R time, too.
Resources come in many shapes and sizes. What are your resources and strengths? Don’t limit yourself to the two most obvious: people and money. The way to have more of what you want is to improve and increase. Stop looking at the problems and start looking at the solutions.
The key to building a strong foundation for a better year is figuring out what you really want. If you don’t know that, how will you know where to spend your time, energy and resources? With only 24 hours in a day, knowing when to say “yes” or “no” is critical. First, say “yes” to yourself by improving your health and your energy. Let go of bad old habits and build good new ones. Commit to yourself and your goals. Figure out the obstacles and find alternatives.
What are you waiting for? Do you need new ideas for solving old problems? Need to walk through the fear of real change? If you’re ready, then it’s time to close the gap between talking the talk and walking the walk!
This article can be re-printed in your ezine or website if you include the following information: Camille Leon represents holistic and eco-friendly professionals and practitioners through The Holistic Chamber of Commerce, an emerging national organization. For more info, visit http://TheHolisticChamberOfCommerce.com or call 310-490-6862.