Now that the holidays are over some of you are looking forward to "getting back on track" in the New Year, it's important for you to look back over the year and acknowledge the "feedback, not failure" principle and to learn from experience.  Take a minute to recognize and celebrate the steps you've taken to get closer to your goal.  Also, explore any behaviors and attitudes that might have detoured your progress.  Looking back and seeing what you would like to change, continue or enhance is a great way to understand where you are, which is the first step in getting to where you want to go. 

Have you ever received Holiday Letters from family and friends giving you their year in review?  This season I received a letter from my Brother-in-Law’s family.  I don’t know why,  I already know how his life sucked this year with his mother passing away but, it seems that the one who writes and reviews is the beneficiary.  By acknowledging what's worked and what hasn't, you will then be ready to continue and move on.

Many Americans around the country are making some resolution or another only to become disappointed that they couldn't outlast the habit they were trying to break. Sound familiar? Breaking the "habitual" habit takes more than a New Year's resolution; it takes commitment and the passion to change.  But, before we start we must answer the question, commitment to who and passion for what.  Breaking a habit is not your goal it's the process, the result of achieving it.   Your goal needs to be clear, precise and for a definite purpose.  Having a goal will help you focus to outlast your habit when temptation strikes.  Breaking a habit involves change and since we are creatures of habit our body will initially reject this change but, over time will acknowledge and accept it as normal. (Ever jump in a pool and after a few min. or a few beers you don't mind the change in temperature, you get the idea). 

Most of our habits have very deep roots. Cultivating the habit may yield some surprising and unexpected information about who you are.  Did the habit take root at a young age with your parents telling you to clean your plate or later in life learning that Martini's make everybody more interesting?  Whatever the cause, the effect is the same - more PAIN in the end.  In order to move on we need to let go.   By writing and reviewing the year of past will give you a clearer picture of the direction you need to go and a plan on how to get there.  Doug Larson once said “The trouble with learning from experience is that you never graduate”.

Have a Great and Successful Week,

-Steve