Can you believe it? It’s the end of January 2009 – and the first month of the New Year is over. How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re like most people, they’ve been forgotten by now. That’s because new habits are hard to form without a burning desire to achieve a goal and a plan for implementation. As the great American novelist, Robert Heinlein said:
“In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.”
It’s not too late to reclaim what you hoped to accomplish at the beginning of the year. You can still have, be, and do what you resolved on January 1st. How? Follow the recommendations of the leading gurus and coaches in goal attainment. They all offer similar advice, paraphrased as follows:
- Set a clear goal and vision of what you want. Write it down. Be specific, and include the details. Make the decision to have what you want and make a firm commitment to get it by a specific date.
- Have unwavering faith and belief that you will achieve your goal. Be willing to do what it takes. Do not give yourself any other option. Accept any sacrifice required.
- Develop a plan of action and do something right now and every day to achieve your goal. The sooner you create momentum, the faster you will get your heart’s desire. You can’t receive your goal with wishful thinking. You have to accept personal responsibility, get off your bum, and take continuous steps to achieve your goal every single day.
- Adopt a positive attitude, surround yourself with like-minded people, and create an environment that supports your goal. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn is attributed with saying, “You are the sum total of the 5 people you hang around with the most.” If you and your friends are not on the same page, find a new posse. Surround yourself with the people who help you stay focused on your goal.
- Express gratitude and happiness for your progress and achievements every day. Accept yourself and who you are. Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Operate in total truth and honesty. Love what you do.
This five-step plan may sound too simple, but testimonials abound by people who have followed this prescription for success. The hardest part – the part most people miss – is really defining what you want, implementing a plan of action, and following it consistently.
Researchers agree that it takes 21 days to create a new habit – so you have to hang in there for at least three weeks before your new strategies become second nature. Don’t allow your dreams to stay locked up inside your head and heart. You can be and do whatever you want in your lifetime – and so can your children. Model a plan for goal achievement for their sake. There are books, movies, and coaches aplenty to help inspire you.
In fact, I recently wrote an article chock-full of resources to help you. It was just published in the premiere issue of a brand new magazine called RAW (Real Authentic Women). It’s published by Mary Leppert and her family, who also happen to publish The Link National Homeschool Magazine. You can read my article, “From Fantasy to Fulfillment: Living the Life of Your Dreams” and the entire digital version of the premiere issue of RAW online.
You can also get a free hard copy of RAW mailed to your home. Simply email the editor mary.thelink@verizon.net with your address.
And take advantage of the special introductory subscription rate of $10 for a full year of RAW! To subscribe, email Mary Leppert at mary.thelink@verizon.net.
If any aspect of homeschooling was a part of your New Year’s resolutions, you’ll enjoy learning about the “Homeschool Helpers” in this issue of Homefires. They will help you achieve your homeschool goals, even if you’ve gotten off course.
As professional development coach Mike Altshuler said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Correct your course and make a bee-line to achieving your dreams!
Keep the homefires burning,
Diane Flynn Keith
Editor of Homefires & Author of Carschooling
P.S. Please email me (Editor@Homefires.com) with your questions, comments, and suggestions for future issues of Homefires.
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