This week and next seem to be the weeks when everyone is or will be talking about resolutions again. As physicians, nurses and chiropractors you may have a tendency toward being a perfectionist. While this is a responsible attitude in some areas, it can go too far and sometimes stop you from building momentum toward making progress. With the first slip up there may be a sense of failure; or perhaps you don’t even bother setting a goal for fear of not meeting it. I’ve been there and fallen prey to both of these attitudes.
This article starts a series of articles with strategies and ideas that have been helpful to me and others in achieving goals. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to continue with your resolution or take on a new goal now. For a more personal approach to achieving your goals and having more joy in your life, hire me.
“If you have built castles in the sky, let not your dreams go to waste; just build the foundations under them.” Henry David Thoreau. 
Taking steps to make your dream a reality is self-affirming and adds to your overall happiness. Turning dreams into resolutions builds your decision to move forward with an intention. With a resolution, you resolve with determination and tenacity to accomplish a dream you hold, at least theoretically.
Your chances of success in achieving the goal of your resolution greatly increase when you follow a path of commitment and habit change. These 2 aspects of your approach to change establish a strong base for your foundation.
Choose a dream that you value. Pursuing a dream that is important to you is key. Attaining a dream is often more challenging than it sounds. There are many life events, internal thoughts, habits and obligations that can come between you and your real goals. Choose a dream that is consistent with the bigger picture of what you want for yourself. The more significant the purpose is to you, the stronger your commitment will be to maintain the change, especially when challenges arise, as they inevitably do. A personally significant dream has the potential to draw you forward, and it is much easier to commit to your valued goal.
Habits of mind build a foundation inside yourself. Maintain an optimistic outlook grounded in reality. What are the strengths you are bringing to working on your dream becoming reality? What beliefs do you hold about yourself and your situation that support your journey to your goal? Recognize accomplishments along the way. Know that you can grow from the struggles as well as the successes.
Break the goal into component parts. Think of the steps that you have to take to achieve your goal. Concentrate on one step at a time. You may only want to think about “What is the next step?” Or, try completing this sentence, “If I were to put in 3% more effort toward this goal, I would be doing _______.” By looking at only a small positive behavior change, you prevent overwhelm which may occur when planning. Your big goal can act as a North Star providing the direction, letting you know that you’re on the correct route.
For support in defining your meaningful dream and coming up with a plan that works for you, contact me.
Dina, 203 744-YOU3 (9683)
Revitalize Your Life
