something to think about - what does that mean exactly? image copyright Cherry Potts

It’s that time of year.

I get bloody minded about new year resolutions: you won’t catch me in the gym in January, it’s too full of people regretting that final slice of Christmas cake. And really, it makes better sense to make plans at times of year when you think you might be able to keep to them.  Winter is a time for eating and taking insufficient exercise, so you might as well enjoy it, save up the long walks and salads for the spring.

So my resolutions, such as they are, don’t often happen at this time of year, although its a good time to take stock and think about what my resolutions might be, and how I’d like them to grow.

Resolution is based on determination and will power, and seems rather rigid to me.  It is often about making yourself do something you don’t really want to.  I’m more comfortable with a more fluid set of plans, and setting myself goals that will make me happy.  So I don’t say ‘I need to lose ‘x’ amount of weight’, I say ‘I want a healthier lifestyle’.  If that leads to weight loss that’s fine, but it’s being healthy that matters. That’s something I can sign up to, and can see the benefit of.  And if I feel the need of a deadline (or a life line, so much more use…) I have a significant birthday this year so I can set that as my measuring post

for a bit of comparison.  I’m really not interested in punishing myself for failings, it’s more constructive to be pleased when I make something I want happen.

This is my version of what is known as a ‘well-formed outcome’ in NLP and (as with all things) I prefer an organic approach, to let my idea of what I want, and how to achieve it, evolve from a positive ideal and a pleasing method.

So whatever your resolutions, may they be happy and pleasurable.

Have a wonderful 2011

copyright Cherry Potts, Change from Choice 2011