Most of us will have given up on our resolutions by the time February dawns when we find that we can’t face going out for that run in the cold or just want to scuttle home from work in the evening without stopping at the gym.
What if we took ‘spring cleaning’ to a new level by deciding to make changes to the way we think about ourselves and our goals in this, the most optimistic time of the year? With its longer, brighter and hopefully warmer days spring brings the promise of new growth.
Before embarking on wholesale changes, it would be a good idea to take a fresh look at what we have achieved so far. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people leap to criticise themselves and how reluctant many of us are to praise and appreciate all the good things we do.
Instead of lamenting what we didn’t tick off our list of resolutions, we could focus instead on what we did achieve. Maybe we got out into the open air and walked every weekend, or we moved house or job, or one of our children achieved something they really wanted and were really proud of themselves. Or we finally managed to make a regular date to go to the theatre or to see a film that we really enjoyed, or maybe we set up regular get-togethers with friends and family instead of that quick, scrawled promise in the annual Christmas card. It could be absolutely anything that gets us in touch with that sense of enjoyment and excitement.
Taking pleasure in proud moments, positive experiences and achievements will spark memories of our best times and allow us to get in touch with a different part of ourselves, that confident and strong inner self that motivates us to keep going and reminds us of what we are capable of.
This could be the year when we take a completely new approach to setting goals for the future. By focussing on all the things we have achieved, we highlight our strengths and congratulate ourselves for what we do instead of berating ourselves for what we don’t manage to do. This is such an important new habit that will influence our lives and our relationships.
If you would like to talk about how Hypnotherapy and Coaching with NLP could support you in developing these new habits contact me for a free initial consultation.
Don’t agonise… orrganise!