January 2012 Archives

It only takes a few weeks into a New Year for most resolutions to become a distant memory. But this year, my resolution--to pack lighter--won't be put to the test until the first weekend in February. So I have time to practice and get it right.

It starts with the bag.  If I have a large bag, I will fill it up.  My brain takes one look and says, "Why waste all that space?"  So I over-pack and wind up having to lug all that stuff around wherever I am going.  It sounds like a good idea to have a lot to choose from but if I planned ahead for the outfits I was going to wear, I could save myself a lot of time. 

After spending a year volunteering abroad with several different organizations, I've pretty much figured out what does and doesn't work for me in a volunteer role. At times, volunteering has proven to be more challenging than I ever expected. Repeatedly, it has pushed me well beyond my comfort zone. It can be disconcerting and maddening and even scary at times. But every time I accomplish something I didn't think was possible in the name of giving back, I am grateful for the opportunity to test my personal limits. And I'm proud of myself - like put a gold star sticker on the fridge proud. I'm guessing every person has their own volunteering style, but here are a few things I've learned along the way when it comes to handling expectations.

How do you create lasting change this year in the areas that we struggle with most? As always, it starts with a plan and to help get you started, here's a six-step plan for success:

1. The first step is to re‐evaluate the previous year. Start by asking yourself "How did it go? How did you handle things? Did you handle yourself the way you wanted to?" Find your answers using the areas we typically struggle with most.

Nutrition/Healthy Eating: How did you handle yourself with food? Did you do a lot of social/binge/emotional or mindless eating?

Fitness/Exercise: How was your fitness? Were you motivated, did you enjoy your workouts and did you get the results you wanted?

Stress Control: How did you handle stress? Who or what was stressful for you and how did you handle it?

Emotional Health/Mindset: How was your emotional outlook? Were you as positive or optimistic as you would have liked?

Relationships: Take a look at your relationships. Were they supportive, loving, nurturing or toxic and destructive?

Business/Finances: How did you do with your business and finances? Did you reach your goals as far as the growth of your business, finances and career?

Personal/Spiritual Development: Did you grow personally and spiritually? What did you learn and were you living with passion and purpose?