Build A Strong Foundation For Your New Year’s Resolution
Stop! Before you commit to a New Year’s Resolution, do this first! Did you know that any goals you aspire to are absolutely doomed without building a strong foundation of self-love. Sorry to throw cold water on your enthusiasm but hear me out. If you are holding onto any of the following obstacles, you are not loving yourself. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is there anyone or anything you need to forgive? If there is a circumstance or a person that you are blaming for anything that’s not working in your life, you are just signing up for a life of victimhood. Reconcile with the fact that you can’t succeed until you let it go. It’s become your story, your addiction to self-sabotage, the pass you give yourself for not getting what you want. The status quo is always more comfortable, even if it’s not positive. Be brave enough to shed this skin and lighten your load so that you can take on a new commitment.
2. Are there people in your life that drain your energy, suck the life out of your joy, and have overstayed their welcome? You must close the door on energy vampires if you want to elevate your game. There are numerous circumstances that contribute to this condition. Maybe you have evolved spiritually, physically, or mentally, and these people will never accept the new you, keeping you stuck in your past when you are craving a new future. You will have to be selective about who you give your time to, and what you expose yourself to, if you truly want to embrace change. How you go about doing this is entirely up to you, just be as kind and graceful as possible, but be decisive and stick to your decisions.
If you have a family member, or co-worker for example that you can’t totally avoid, you will have to be brave enough to set strong boundaries and just remember that “no” can be a complete sentence. Plan your strategy to extricate yourself one way another, or that baggage will deter you from your goals. To power up your plan, ask yourself “how badly do I want this?”.
3. Lastly and most importantly are you practicing self-love? If you have not yet addressed your limiting beliefs, your special brand of “not enoughness”, now is the time. Here are some strategies to ensure you build a strong foundation of self-love that will empower your goals and aspirations:
Eliminate all Negative Self-Talk: Evey time you say something negative about yourself; you are asking the universe for more of the same. Words coupled with the associated emotions are powerful. When you fall into that trap let your awareness kick in and replace that statement with a positive affirmation. Keep doing this until it becomes habitual.
Practice Self-Compassion: We all make mistakes, give yourself the same grace and compassion that you are willing to give to others. Acknowledge where you went wrong and take it as a lesson that can only make you better in the future.
Set Your Own Boundaries: Once again, saying no to prioritize your own needs will help you to build that mental muscle you will need to stick to the goals you have established. People that truly care about you will understand. What others think about you is really none of your business.
Surround Yourself with Positive People: Suffice it to say, we are products of our environment. Who are the people that you admire? Those are the type of people you want to be around. Negativity and positivity are both contagious energies. You pick.
Celebrate Every Win No Matter How Small: Set small goals and each time you achieve one, celebrate it! Journal your accomplishment and how it made you feel. Do something special for yourself and celebrate with someone that will be truly happy for you. Once this accomplishment has become embedded into your life, move on to next small goal and before you know it you will have transformed yourself in a way that is meaningful and sustainable.
Wishing you the happiest of New Years! Loving Yourself First is the best formula for success. You’ve got this! May all your dreams come true!