Each one of us has dreams. They come in all shapes and sizes, each one unique to the individual 
dreamer. Most folks start dreaming as youngsters when 'anything is possible' . . . long before life's hard knocks turn what was once thought to be 'achievable', into the 'impossible dream'. So, as we age, how to keep those cherished dreams alive? It helps to doggedly, stubbornly maintain faith, hope, and determination. Odds of success increase exponentially when a dreamer believes in himself/herself and the dream - and when the dreamer is willing to work hard, taking one small step at a time, one day at a time, for a lifetime.
If you truly want to 'achieve' a dream, a New Year Resolution, a daily goal you have to truly want to 'do it' - and be devoted for the long haul. If you just want to 'check' your dream off a list and move on, you're probably wasting your time. If you truly want to succeed - to live your dream - you must habitually make that dream part of your daily life for good.
So, where to begin? What to do first, second, third? That's where a lot of folks get stuck. They simply don't know how to make that dream a reality. They don't have a plan - a system - that will guide them through their journey. If you're not the most organized person, or don't know much about planning, don't get discouraged. Don't give up before you even begin. Give yourself some credit. If you take stock of your life, you've already chalked up a long list of wins and successes: Good grades at school, a diploma and/or college degree, sports victories, a job well done at work, children that make you shine with pride . . . and on and on. Do an inventory of your skills, background, knowledge, and achievements. Then give yourself a pat on the back and some well earned credit.
So, again, where to begin if you want to pursue your dream? You don't need a degree in 'Strategic Planning' to follow your dream. You do need to be open-minded, focused, and willing to try new things without fear of failing. As a starting point, consider the I Resolve To . . . Formula For Success. It's a simple, common sense way to begin the process: Start with a cherished dream, one in which you have enormous desire and interest.Turn that dream into a specific, one-sentence resolution that clearly states your intention. Make that resolution a reality with daily goals that can be achieved one at a time, one day at a time.
Resolve To . . . Formula For Success:
Dream + Resolution + Daily Goals = Success, Achievement & Reward!
When considering New Year Resolutions and mulling plans for dreams and goals, folks often make
things harder than they need to be. Rather than drafting that long, tired list of resolutions that we
think we 'should' make - the 'Sins' - why not make just one resolution. Make one resolution about which you have true desire, passion and interest. Forget about that long laundry list of resolutions that you make and fail to keep, year after year. That decision alone increases your odds of success exponentially. Embarking on the journey with clarity of purpose, a dream about which you have great interest and passion, and a systematic process removes nagging questions and doubt about
'what to do first' and 'what to do next'. I advocate pursuing one resolution, one day at a time for one year because it has worked so well for me, year after year. Throughout my life I have made dreams and resolutions a reality by following this simple, common sense approach. I long ago made a commitment, a promise to myself, to stop smoking, to exercise daily, write, build a business, excel at photography, earn college degrees, own a home, and work from my home. Those are just a few of my dreams, my Lifetime Resolutions. I don't believe in making resolutions and checking them off my list. I make them and keep them with me for good.
A key to my success is that I pursue just one life-changing dream, and make just one major resolution 
at a time. To do otherwise is a recipe for quick failure. Our lives are packed full of activities as it is, it's no wonder that we don't have ambition or energy to tackle a long list of changes that we think we 'should make' because that's what folks do in the New Year. It's not surprising that most people abandon their Resolution list - diet, exercise, save, stop smoking, stop drinking - after days or weeks. The list exists, but the passion, commitment, and desire is sorely lacking. Personally I believe the most popular resolutions are great ways to improve lives, but without true heartfelt desire for change, a resolution is nothing more than an empty promise.
This year can be different, but you must have the desire to make it so. Don't abandon the practice of making New Year Resolutions - change the paradigm! Think outside the box. Don't be afraid to color with a red crayon instead of the same blue one you always use. Be a Resolution Revolutionary: change the way you think about and approach dreams, resolutions and goals. Keep it simple and realistic. Start with my I Resolve To . . . Formula For Success, then follow the I Resolve To . . . System For Success. The Do's and Don'ts are easy to use, easy to understand, and great for busy people.
I Resolve To . . . System For Success - The Do's:
- Dare To Dream: Open your mind and consider all the wonderful possibilities. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and daydream with your journal. Make a list of the 100 things that you would truly love to do, be, see, feel, create, experience, learn, achieve, and have while you're here on earth - your Lifetime Resolution List. Focus like a laser on the one dream that most inspires you, makes you excited and nervous at the same time. Focus on the one that you will want to pursue day after day, the one that would make you happy and proud.
- Decide: Make a firm decision, a personal commitment, a promise to yourself to pursue that dream today; to make it a Lifetime Resolution that is with you for good. Why fulfill a dream, then check it off your list? Why not achieve it, keep it with you, and enjoy it for life! Achieve it, then take it to the next level. Use what you've learned to inspire and invigorate you - to launch you toward achieving new dreams and resolutions.
- Define: Turn that dream into a specific, positive, one-sentence resolution that provides clarity of purpose. For instance, I Resolve To exercise for 30-minutes daily by walking, working out with weights, swimming, doing Yoga, and biking, so that I can reach and maintain my my ideal weight (i.e. 125 pounds), be fit and toned (i.e. look good in my clothes, and feel good about myself), be healthy (i.e. lower my cholesterol and blood pressure), and maintain a good mood and positive outlook.
- Develop A Plan: Do your homework. Learn all you can about the 'who, what, when, where, why, and how' of your dream, then turn that knowledge into written short and long-range plans that include daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals, timelines, and milestones, along with a system of making course corrections, and rewarding victories. Keep a Daily Resolution Diary and do Daily and Weekly Check-Ins. Your plan is a living document that will grow and change as you grow, learn and change.
- Do It Daily!: Each and every day take one small step - achieve at least one goal - that will enable you to make your dream, your resolution a reality. Try to devote at least 30-minutes each day to your dream. If you devote just 30-minutes each day to your dream that adds up like compound interest on money in the bank to 7.5 full 24-hour days in one year! Tell your friends and family and enlist their support. Find buddies who can make the journey with you. Seek out a mentor who can provide advice. Join a club or take a class to learn new things that will lend motivation and inspiration to your quest. Wear your resolution on your shirt, and plant a post-it on your computer, your mirror, your refrigerator - anyplace that will provide frequent reminders.
As you plot your course, don't forget to consider the obstacles - all the many things that can go wrong, or will stand in the way of progress, including obstacles of our own making like pessimism, a bad attitude, lack of faith, hope, determination, and an unwillingness to work hard.
I Resolve To . . . System For Success - The Don'ts:
- Procrastinate: Put an end to the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'. Do It Today. Stop waiting for tomorrow. Take action, one small step today, another one tomorrow, and another one the next day. Get rid of the guilt caused by doing nothing. The smallest steps can energize you and build lasting momentum. Sometimes 'just showing up' is all you need to do. Get off the couch, put on your tennis shoes and head for the tennis court. Fire up the computer and write the next page in your novel. Your best effort may surface on the days you feel least motivated. Get busy!
- Give Into Fear Of Success Or Fear Of Failure: Embrace your fears and your mistakes. Understand them, learn from them, so you can overcome them and move forward with confidence. Obstacles will appear like dandelions on a Spring day at times. Identify the potential obstacles and prepare for them. Knowledge is power and it will help you to move past your obstacles and fears. Don't sabotage yourself by self-limiting behaviors. A little daily introspection can go a long way. Think about what you're doing and why you're doing it - if you're getting in your own way, figure out a way around. Don't live passively. Don't sleepwalk through your day. Make conscious choices!
- Get Overwhelmed Or Discouraged: Give yourself the gift of time to achieve your dream and make your resolution a reality. Pursue your resolution one small step - one goal - one day at a time for one year. There will be many days in which you are 'Overtaken By Events - OBE'. That's a common part of life. If you have a rough day today, know tomorrow is right around the corner. Flexibility and a willingness to adapt will enable you to roll with the punches, and change and improve your long and short range plans. Patience, passion and persistence will get you through those bleak, rough days. Know when it's time to lower the bar just a little and reduce expectations. When you're feeling down, pull out your journal and review all your victories. Reward yourself, often, for successes and milestones.
- Grow Bored, Weary Or Burned Out: Set a realistic pace and be realistic about your goals - what you can actually achieve by a specific date. Remember you don't have to reach the top of the mountain overnight. Novels aren't written in a day, college degrees take years to earn, getting in shape takes weeks and months. In short, dreams take time and hard work that's why it's so important to commit to a resolution that you would absolutely love to achieve. You have to want to spend time working on it each and every day. Your dream needs to become a positive habit in your life - a routine part of your day. You need 'fire in the belly' to keep the momentum going. As you progress vary your activities to keep things interesting, take breaks, and be kind to yourself. Activities and tasks often take longer than you would hope or anticipate.
- Give Up!: Keep track of your successes - your hard won victories - and use them to fuel the fire of your passion and to motivate yourself on both the good and bad days. Keep your eye on the prize and know in time you will succeed. Faith, hope, and optimism will see you through. If you're feeling pessimistic and hopeless - rather than give up - take a vacation from your dream, resolution and daily goals. Rest, relax and take care of yourself, but be sure to schedule a specific date to 'restart' and know what your next 10 steps will be.
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution! Make Every Day New Year's Day. Make Every Day Count. Visit my resolution shop by clicking this link: http://www.cafepress.com/iresolveto
Kim M. Simpson - June 22, 2008
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Resolution is to 'show gratitude' for my blessings by 'giving back' and the environment is one of my recipients. I dedicate three columns each week to news, information and ideas about small, daily steps we can take to reduce our Carbon Footprints. Consider the huge, positive, long-range impact on the environment if each one of us performs 'habitual' actions - like driving fewer vehicle miles, using more energy efficient light bulbs, and turning off lights when we leave rooms. My goal, as an individual, is to urge others to follow my lead, and take a few small steps each and every day toward protecting the environment.
