New Years Resolutions and All

Happy New Year. We are 20 days into 2008. As January nears a close those of us still invested in collegiate education begin to hold on for dear life as the truckload of books papers and bills begin to fall from the sky.

Its interesting too to note that this time period - between the second to third week of any new year - is statistically when 70 percent of "new years resolutions" fail or cease to exist. This is due (according to a few psychologists with a lot of time on their hands ) to the fact that our resolutions commonly are assumed to not only be instant, but also that we will be happier when the resolution comes to be resolved. The problem is the human mind cannot see into the future so to inspire ourselves to change we promise that we'll be happier and lie about the ease of change. Well its time to fess up! we are humans and humans hate change. We are creatures of habit, so change is always difficult if not impossible. So I figured I'd post about resolutions just in time for you to revamp yours.

I am still a sufferer and just like the rest of the world I still make resolutions. Exercise more, eliminate or reduce the frequency of bad habits and become a better person over all. For years I was amongst those who thought lying to myself was the best way to accomplish my goal.

NEWS FLASH: Lying to yourself does no more good than lying to anyone else!!!!

These days I have come to realize that while I'm a master of BS (hence my affluence in sales) you can't bullshit a bullshitter. (Excuse my French.) I have found, after consulting the internet experts, that resolutions can be masterfully crafted so as to actually complete them or keep them in 2008. What a concept.

Heres a few ideas to get your changes to be significant:

1) Start Small: Sure we all want world peace, a million dollar raise and abs like Gerard Butler ("This...is...SPARTA" Yeah the 300! Guy.) Your grand ideas are nice and we can work at them, but baby steps are essential. Why not try something simple like working out in general. If you haven't done a sit up in ten years then bulging abs aren't a likely hope for this year, but doing sit ups every other day is.

2) Happiness is not a factor Resolutions should be for personal or global improvement, not happiness. Studies show that most people who commit to a resolution feel that it will bring them happiness both through the process as well as at the completion. We as humans psychologically don't have the the mental capacity to figure what will or will not make us happy far down the road. So my solution is to forget happiness. Now don't take this to literally and go Gothic on me. What I mean is that a resolution should focus on making you a better, healthier, more sociable and well rounded individual. You have to start off saying "I may not be happy during the process, but at the end I will be a better person for it. " I think that this is essential. Suffering and strain leads to a more satisfying end.

3) Support Now this tip is in two parts. first get social support that way you can lean on others. And second make resolutions that support each other. If you resolve to stop smoking, work out and eat healthier these will all go forward to one goal. These related resolutions will motivate you, becasue if you stop smoking and begin working out, your unhealthy diet will eventually begin to way on you (physically as well as mentally) You'll be cheating yourself out of your full potential.

4) Goals The last tip I can offer is strongly supported by your social network (the ones we told you to inform in #3). You should set small goals along the way. If your resolution is a cleaner mouth have your friends give you monthly performance reviews. If your resolution is a more athletic physique you could incorporate monthly fitness evaluations as well as social critiques. This is a great way to keep you motivated thought out 2008.

5) Have Fun This last one is my montra for life. Have fun with what your doing. It may be hard and painful, but find a uniqe way to look at or deal with the problems your having. If what your doing doesn't keep you motivated and enjoying the process failure is 90 times more likely so find a dun way to keep going.

Dont give up although naturally we are anti-change it really is good for us. Get up move around stir up your life. Its 2008. Do something Different.

Live Life, Love God

Jah Son