All over the world, people are deciding what their New Year’s Resolutions will look like for 2021. Many may be a little cautious after their resolutions for 20/20 focus in 2020.I have often heard the phrase, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it!” And while the words may invoke warm, fuzzy feelings of invincibility, they hold little truth. Dreams are simply figments of imagination that never see the light of day.
The problem isn’t with the dream, however. The problem is that a dream never written never becomes a goal, and without a written goal, dreams, more often than not, disappear with the next whim, the next wish, the next wind shift.
Setting New Year’s Resolutions and sticking with them long enough to see some success takes dreaming and writing those dreams. It’s all about steps.
Under each resolution, make a list of one through ten. After each number, write the steps needed to achieve the resolution. Make another list of one through ten and list things that could hinder your progress.
Do this for each of your resolutions. When you finish, place your list with their steps somewhere you will see them for review daily. If you take these steps, I promise you will see progress this year, no matter what 2021 brings.
And remember, you aren’t tied to those resolutions made at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. As you achieve one resolution, write another along with steps, and get to work.
The next time you hear someone say, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it,” tell them, “Don’t you believe it!”
Then explain that it all begins with a dream. But the dream must be written, or it will never materialize. Next comes the steps to be taken. With each step taken, achievement comes more fully into focus.
(I love teaching this concept to students, young adults, and baby boomers at workshops and retreats. If your group is interested, email me at charlene@storieswithcharlene.com)