A New Year is upon us. The stresses of Christmas will soon be over and we’ll be bursting with good intentions to lose weight, pay off debts, get fit, drink less alcohol and be nicer to the mother-in-law. Sound familiar? Then read on!
The truth is that most of us set ourselves up for failure when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions because a) our lists are too long, and b) they’re simply not exciting enough!
That’s why I recommend you ditch your New Year’s Resolutions altogether. Not only is it the most liberating feeling, you’ll also avoid the massive guilt trip that comes from setting them, starting them, slipping up on them and then stopping them all in the space of two weeks!
Instead, why not focus on “One Big Gulp!” for the year. All you need to do is set one big goal that really excites you and challenges you, one that would feel like a major achievement (if not a life changing moment) once you’ve done it. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of running a marathon, or volunteering in a Guatemalan orphanage or trekking the Himalayas. Or maybe you’ve had a deep yearning to start your own business, or relocate to Spain or completely change your career direction. Or maybe it’s time to make a big decision about a relationship, your health or where you live. Put a stake in the ground and make 2008 the year you stop dithering and actually make it happen.
Here is my 3 step plan for setting your One Big Gulp! for 2008
STEP 1: MAKE IT EXCITING
Your One Big Gulp! needs to make your heart flutter with anticipation (even if your stomach is quivering with nerves!). Spend a couple of hours in early January doing some soul searching. Reflect upon what’s missing in your life and think about what’s truly important to you. Then pick one big goal that feels really exciting and scary at the same time. Write this down on a Post-It note and put it where you can see it every day.
STEP 2: C.I.G.A.R. IT
Big ideas can be overwhelming so “chunk it down.” Start by looking at your Current situation then shape your Ideal situation. Write down the Gaps between where you are today and where you want to be, and then draw up your Action plan. Finally, put some checks in place to Review your progress over the coming months. (C.I.G.A.R = Current, Ideal, Gaps, Action, Review).
STEP 3: TAKE SMALL STEPS – EVERY DAY
In the words of St Francis of Assisi, “Start by doing what’s necessary and then what’s possible, and very soon you’re doing the impossible.” Taking small daily actions is easy and very soon they’ll accumulate into big shifts. Buddy up with a friend and surround yourself with people who support you. And before you know it, you’ll be doing the impossible.
To help you stay motivated and on track this New Year, sign up for your FREE downloadable One Big Gulp! Kit including a 25 page eWorkbook, daily motivational emails for 30 days, weekly podcasts and details about our interactive Facebook community, visit www.onebiggulp.com
