Why I'm filing an extension for my New Years Resolution

I love the new year.  I love having a chance to start over and what better time to do that than an official new year?!  It's exciting, liberating, and rejuvenating all at the same time, however, we get so busy with the holidays that we basically stumble into the new year without giving much thought about what we TRULY want to change and improve in our lives.  Most new years resolutions are to lose weight (especially after all those cookies and egg nog) or save money because we are feeling guilty about using charge cards to buy presents that we can't afford).  At this moment my mailbox is full of weight loss offers, diet medications, and gym memberships.
Statistics show that only 8% of people are successful attaining their new years resolutions.  We all know that the gyms start getting empty in February and March, right?  So the question becomes how important is it?  Do we really want to make a change? If we TRULY want to make a change in our lives, wouldn't we think long and hard about what that will look like? Wouldn't we make a plan, ask for help, and picture ourselves having already attained the goal (research shows that people are more successful attaining their goals when they picture themselves that way or consider themselves a "non smoker" for instance.)
What better time to take a personal audit and make a plan for the upcoming year than January and February?  The truth is the ONLY thing that I really like about the Winter is that it's a great time to be quiet, still, and reflect on 2014.  Here in the Northeast, it's a time when we're forced to be inside and the days are shorter.  It's a great time to really think about what we're doing, how we can do better, and what kind of legacy where leaving behind us.  If we never figure out WHY we've done the things that we are doing than it's really hard to change the behavior.  For instance, if we know that we are eating unhealthy foods because we're feeling stressed, how can we create a life with lower stress?  Maybe it will help to look at the bigger picture?  Also, how much better would you feel if you started replacing healthier foods with crappy foods?  What would a happier, healthier you look like?  Don't they say that the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again? So, why do we keep making the same new years resolution without making a plan?
After listening to a million podcasts about productivity, self improvement, and goal setting in the past few months...I've come up with a few tips that seemed to make sense...

 Here are a few
1.  Make a 90 day plan instead of a yearly one.  Businesses to quarterly plans for a reason, it works.  Planning for 90 days is a lot easier than planning for a year, not to mention much less overwhelming.
2.  Share your goal with a few people.  No need to post on social media to everyone but confiding in a few people that are supportive and loving with help you in your journey.
3.  Aim for 80% goal.  If your goal is to lose 10 lbs, don't be upset if you aren't perfect and only reach 8 lbs.  The goal is progress, not perfection.
4.  Make it fun.  If your goal is to save money, you may be amazed at how many free things you can find in your neighborhood.
5.  Focus on how you will feel when your goal is reached.  What difference will it make in your life?
Michael Hyatt says, "A goal is not about what you accomplish, it's about what you become."
I would love to hear your ideas about how you plan to make your resolutions a reality!  How can I help you? Please comment below!

**Looking for more motivation?  Check out my videos on my YouTube channel! You can also join my GUMPTION email list by clicking here for tips and motivation for creating the life you want and need!

Using Guided Imagery to Create a Happier Family Life

Could guided imagery really create a happier family life?  Guided imagery is an amazing tool for creating the life we want. Research has proven again and again that our imagination can help us build our own realities. The question is, what is the life YOU want? What kind of family life do you want to have?  When you are old, wrinkly, and rocking in a rocking chair, what kind of life do you want to be able to reflect upon?

These techniques can really make a difference in your life.  Don't believe me? Chat with athletes that have won races, people who have overcome illnesses, or people who have lost a lot of weight and you will quickly learn that guided imagery is a powerful tool that many of these people use.  Whether these people realize it or not, they have used guided imagery (in some form or another) to attain the goals they have accomplished. In other words,

 

We become the person we WANT to be.

 

Here's an example.  Research has shown that when people focus on a diet or quitting smoking, they will most likely NOT succeed, but if they instead focus on creating a new image as a 'non smoker' or being a 'healthy person' they are much more likely to be successful.

 

Now I'd like to take it a step further and suggest that you are CREATING the problems you have.  If we worry (which is inadvertently focusing on the things we DON'T want)  then we are focusing on things that make us unhappy instead of things that make us happy.  Why would we do that to ourselves? 

 

The same philosophy can be applied when a parent wants to be more patient with their children or be more 'present' when spending time with children.  When we take a few moments before the kids wake up to picture ourselves being the kind of parent we want to be then we are much more likely to become that kind of parent.

 

Take the time to listen to your intuition, then visualize the life you want.  Gradually you will begin surrounding yourself with like minded people and you will start taking steps toward changing your behaviors and creating the life we want. 

 

It's SIMPLE. 

 

Are you ready to make it happen? Try these simple steps 1 or 2 times a day (or whenever you want!) and watch your dreams become a reality.

1. Picture your family doing the things that you wish would change (ex. fighting, sadness, or illness).

2. Next, picture yourself throwing that picture away.

3. Create a new family portrait in your imagination with the family that you wish to become.

4.  Begin focusing on that happy family image instead.
4. Finally, take baby steps to move toward that image and surround yourself with people who share these values.  Get together with other families who share your goals or have parent in a way that you admire.

Interested in learning more about guided imagery? Check our Holistic Online for more great ideas.

How to Accomplish Your Family Goals

Guided imagery is an amazing tool for creating the life you want. Research has proven again and again that our imagination can help us build our own realities. What is that you want? What kind of family do you want to have? When you are old and sitting on a rocking chair, what kind of family to you want to come visit you?

Do you think it sounds sound corny or silly? Maybe, but chat with some athletes that have won races, people who have overcome illnesses, or people who have lost a lot of weight and you will quickly learn that guided imagery is a powerful tool. Whether these people realize it or not, they have used guided imagery (in some form or another) to attain the goals they have set. In other words, they become the person they want to be.

Can we turn our worries into dreams?

I am a women, therefore I worry (I think it goes along with the territory!) but I really think that worries can be our own worst enemy. Don't get me wrong, listening to our intuition (and taking time to listen to what is best for us is a good thing) but when these thoughts of doing what's best turn into worries, it really doesn't help us and instead drags us down; preventing success.

Instead, if we take the time to listen to our intuition, then visualize the life we want we will inevitable (almost effortlessly) create the life we want. It's SIMPLE. If you believe in yourself and take baby steps you will be moving in the direction of your goals and dreams.

Are you ready to make it happen? Try these simple steps one or 2 times a day (or whenever you want!) and watch your dreams become a reality.

1. Picture your family doing the things that you wish would change (ex. fighting, sadness, or illness).

2. Next, picture yourself throwing that picture away.

3. Create a new family portrait in your imagination with the family that you wish to become.
4. Take baby steps to move toward that image.





Interested in learning more about guided imagery? Check this out: www.holisticonline.com/guided-imagery.htm

My Goals for the New Year

As you all know, I love goals!  The new year is so great for looking inward, evaluating, forgiving, and starting over.  I love coming up with new ideas of what I'd like to do and then making a plan to make it happen.  In addition, I like to feel the excitement related to meeting those measurable goals. 

My goals for the new year are...drum roll please...

1.  FAMILY/HOME
Have Baby #2! That's right! We are expecting our second child in July 2011.  My goal is to have a healthy pregnancy and enjoy time alone with Sienna as much as I can! Also, not gain as much weight as I did the first time and not get fat in the face. Uh...I mean eat healthier this pregnancy and continue working out as long as I can!  Then once the baby arrives, enjoy having a family of four and all the amazing things about having a newborn! 

Anyway, we are SOOOO excited to have a new addition to our family (but of course a little scared!) I told my husband i was pregnant by writing "Baby #2" on my belly with Sienna's soap crayons!

He was so excited! Then, we told my family at the Thanksgiving dinner table and we told my husband's family by dressing Sienna in a big sister shirt!  Everyone was excited!  Been pretty sick but it seems to be getting better this week (thank the LORD!) 
So, here are my goals related to pregnancy and home life.
                           1.  Make 3 healthy homemade dinners a week
                           2.  Include veggie and fruit snacks into my day
                           3.  Drink water
                           4.  Register for Zumba Class
                           5.  Spend a lot of quality time with Sienna before the baby arrives

In addition, I plan to get a house cleaner and get more organized (Isn't this on my goal list EVERY year!?!!? Argh!)

2.  PERSONAL

Of course, the above goals tie into my personal goals (especially from a health perspective).  In addition, I am going to continue seeing my awesome therapist and read the books that she recommends (I REALLY need to do better at this one!)  I am going to volunteer in our community and give back through an organization called Cuddle My Kids (helping other moms who are going through chemotherapy).  Finally, I want to stop being a codependent crazy lady and let go of other people's issues that have absolutely NOTHING to do with me!

3.  CAREER GOALS 
I love being a stay at home mom, however, I realize that it won't be forever.  Once my children are in school (which will be here before I know it!)  I want to have a career that I enjoy and feel proud of. I really think that teaching is the way for me to go for me and I'm going to take steps to look into programs in the next 6 months.  In addition, I plan to write to magazine publications (one magazine a month) to get exposure and a possible writing position.  I want to make more money for my household so we don't have to worry as much (and I can afford that house cleaner I so badly want!)

4.  FINANCIAL GOALS.  Well, luckily for us, my husband is very good at our finances.  He calls the cable company and credit cards often and follows up on all the medical bills, etc. Thank God he does this because I am not a number person and would have it all screwed up.  However, my goal this year is to be more involved in the budget and set up some organization (thinking of buying Quicken....anyone use this?)  Also, we started our daughter's college fund but we need to put money into it and get our credit assessment.

I have researched many different goal setting ideas and websites and they all seem to have these things in common. 

1.  Set sharp, clearly defined goals you can measure.

2.  Write your goals down.

3.  Take baby steps toward making them happen (time lines help with this!) so you don't get overwhelmed.
4.  Give yourself a pat on the back when you've made progress and let go of self criticism if you fall behind!

Join me in setting up and achieving your goals for the new year.  Feel free to share any ideas or goals with me along the journey!