make that list!

My salt grinder was empty this morning; so I dipped my fingers into the salt pot to season my breakfast eggs...I then proceeded to RUB MY EYES! It really hurt. After scampering to the bathroom to fish out my lenses and rinse my eyes, I finished breakfast and set about to study my list of new years resolutions.

Many people have resolutions, I only know a few people who actually write them down, and they have asked me "how do I go about keeping these resolutions?"

Writing things down gives you the opportunity to go back and take a look; but thats not the end of it. A shopping list-style scribble isn't going to cut it, for every what, there must be a why and a how. Let me explain this further...

To start a new regime, whether it be losing weight, getting a promotion, or controlling your anger, after months (or even years) in a slump, you will need more than just the will to change; you need some sort of drive. Without a drive, you would have lost the battle by Valentines Day! When you write out your initial list, make a sub-list of all the good things you associate with that resolution, and how you will go about achieving this goal. Lets look at a few of my to-do's as an example:

Resolution No. 1

What? I want to socialise Buca

Why? I will then be able to jog in the park without having to pry Buca out of the jaws of a much larger dog!

How? I must tire him out in the woods first, then walk him to the park, and concentrate on making him get along with the dogs before I begin to jog.

Resolution No. 2

What? I want to jog more regularly

Why? Because I will become slim, toned, more energetic, calm, happy, confident and gorgeous!

How? I must not use the rain as an excuse to stay in and half-heartedly 'do' an exercise video.

... that goes on and on...

Now here's where it gets clever; write the list out neatly, and put it up where you can see it daily. I don't recommend putting it up on the fridge because the last thing I do is look at the door when all I want is to get something out from the INSIDE.. Instead, put it by your alarm clock on the bedside table, or the bathroom mirror, or on your dashboard, as a constant reminder of how good you'll feel when you stick to developing your new years habits!

Happy New Year!