…Happy New Year!  Well, to me, this is another holiday created for the liquor stores, but that is ok.  I still celebrated in my hey-day of partying and bar hopping and craziness!!  So that is fine by me.  I typically, when home in Baltimore, will watch the fireworks on New Years Eve, but we are in Cape May so there was nothing going on.  I went to bed; haha!  But we did have a lovely, delicious dinner out and we did go to Mass in the evening.  The priest even talked about New Years and resolutions and looking back over 2011 and forward to 2012.  So I have been thinking about it…

…Resolutions.  Here is the definition I found from the Dictionary:

• I am going to quit smoking
• I want to lose weight
• I will start exercising and eating healthy

Create successful goal statements in this way. 

1. Refrain from stating in your resolution what you want your outcome to be; so if quitting smoking is what you want, do not have that as your resolution statement- that is your outcome… Not your goal!
2. Refrain from general and broad statements; so if you want to “lose weight” well how much and what size would you like to be and why and for what reason, etc… etc.  You will not succeed with a general statement because you will not know what you are working towards and you will not know how to measure your successes.
3. Make your “resolutions” (or goals, as I as a health coach like to call them) very specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-oriented.  The more specific you are, the more you break it down step-by-step, the more likely you will have success.  Do not state something vague like “eating better.”  What is that?  What does that look like?  How will you do it? 
4. Make your resolutions behavioral and action-oriented.  So what will I observe you doing?  If I was a fly on a wall; what would I hear, what would I see, what would I taste and touch?  Don’t say things like “I’d like to exercise.”  Instead say how you would like to exercise; what behavior or action will you take that will get you to your desired outcome of more exercise. 

…So please, do not just make resolutions.  Do not just make broad statements.  Really think about where you are and where you would like to get to.  And make small, specific action steps to get you there.  If you would like more help or ideas, you can always call me or email me to talk about if coaching is right for  you.  Check out my website for more products, services, and information: www.livingsublimewellness.com…

…My final thought on this; as I do believe in progress, forward movement, and goal-setting… so do not think I am a Scrooge because I disagree with resolutions and the whole getting drunk aspect of the holiday.  I liked what the priest did say during his sermon last year; in fact I think we all did as we talked about it during dinner.  He said: look back over 2011.  What went well?  Where did you succeed?  What goals did you meet?  Ok; now look forward to 2012.  What would you like?  What more progress do you want to make?  And how will you get there?  I definitely believe in doing exercises in that way.  I do spend time in quiet reflection thinking about these things.  I do journal, meditate, and read educational self-help books that help me with these ideas.  I think you all should be doing the same…

…Finally, this New Year IS going to be AMAZING!  I have so much success in store for Living Sublime Wellness.  I will help many, many clients and will coach people to healthier lifestyles.  I am so blessed and grateful for all I have done, learned, and experienced thus far and am just super excited to see where this wonderful future year brings me, my family, and my business!  So Happy New Year to all and enjoy this holiday time with family and friends!!…

What resolutions are you making?  How are you setting goals?  Do you need some guidance?  Check out my group program Healthy Balance in 2012!  6 More spots are available and I would love for you to be one of the participants!!  Hurry and sign up now to get the great discount this week…