It's that time of year again.  Christmas is out of the way, the days are getting longer and we are starting to look forward to the year ahead.  What do we want to do differently in 2012?

New Year Resolutions are always about positive changes.  When we start the New Year we are full of enthusiasm for our plans to give up bad habits, get fit, lose weight, get the finances in order, make plans for life-style changes, etc.  It's keeping the momentum going that's the hard part.  Here are some of my tips for keeping motivated.

1)  Make sure your goals are SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. 
2)  Tell people about your New Year Resolutions so they can hold you accountable.
3)  Ask for support if you need it.  Everything we do is easier with a little bit of help.
4)  Reward yourself appropriately when you achieve a goal. 
5)  Don't despair if you have a slip-up.  Just put it behind you and start again from where you left off.
6)  If you feel overwhelmed by one of your goals, break it down into smaller, manageable chunks.
7)  Take some time out each day to reflect and adjust if necessary.

And finally, according to researchers at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia regular exercise improves your willpower and motivation.  So making a New Year resolution to get fit could have a valuable spin-off.  It's worth a try.

Your comments are welcome, as always.

Happy New Year!

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It's amazing where you can find inspiration.  Keep an open mind and accept that people generally have good intentions.  You will find that inspiration comes to you out of the blue.  It might be something you read in the paper or something you hear on the news. It could be something you hear from a colleague, or something that a friend of a friend posts on facebook.   It might be the way the sun shines through the autumn leaves or it might be the words of a song.  Often it's found in the magic, mystery and awsome beauty of creation. But if you close your mind to possibilities and maintain the position that your way is the only way, there's no way for the inspiration to get in.  So challenge yourself to listen more than you speak and take some time out every day just to be quiet and clear your mind.  Do stuff willingly and without expecting anything in return and you will find that the inspiration starts to flow. Be kind.  Say thank-you.   

I find the Desiderata inspiring - some of it is here:

.....do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

If this has inspired you, why not leave a comment here.   You never know - someone, somewhere, might be inspired by what you have to say.  Let's start a tidal wave of inspiration!
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