a new kind of resolve

Resolve - to make a firm decision to do something.

The average person makes a New Year's resolution and breaks it by February. The resolve may have been there in the beginning, but the commitment was not.

Let's face it...lasting change is hard. Gym memberships sell like crazy those days leading up to January 1st. It's tough to find a parking spot. There's no room on the treadmill.

What happens in February? Better parking. Free treadmill.

Making a commitment is easy. Staying committed is hard.

I'm asking you today not just to make a list of resolutions, but to determine in your will to stay committed to your goals, even when it's hard.

One of my goals for 2013 is to finish a devotional book that I've been writing for awhile. Do you know what one of my 2012 goals was? The same thing!

I am so mad at myself for not achieving my goal when I had a year to do it. Yet, I know from my coaching experience the best way to tackle this is not to wallow in my feelings (although I'm tempted), but to examine the situation and make a new plan.

What held me back from finishing last year? Honest brainstorm: not scheduling writing time specific to this project, taking on other work that took up my time, lacking discipline to write and rewrite, no accountability partner, fear that my finished work will not be good enough.

To achieve my goal, I need a new plan. I go through my brainstorm to see what I need.

1. A writing schedule specific to my goal. This means something else needs to be off my schedule.
2. No other special work projects than what I've already committed to until this thing is done!
3. Toughen up. More discipline. Stick to my writing time and eliminate distractions.
4. An accountability partner.
5. Face my fear. My job is to do my best. I pray my words will encourage and help people get healthy. But my work will never be perfect because I'm not perfect. And that's okay. My best is good enough.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

When we resolve to live above average, challenging ourselves to create and achieve, we experience the fullness of what lies within us.

I will be working on my devotional this year.  What will you be working on?

More exercise, better relationships, managing anxiety, loving more? Whatever it is. You know how to start.

Write an honest brainstorm of what holds you back.

Make a plan to overcome these obstacles. 

Resolve to it happen.

Here's to a new kind of resolve in the new year! I'll let you know when I finish my devotional.

~ Cheri