Whenever New Year’s Eve rolls around, we can be quite sure that at least one news program will send a reporter out on the street to inquire about resolutions for the coming year. I saw such a story several years ago on my local news.
After the reporter heard the usual resolves to lose weight, start exercising, and spend more time with family, he interviewed a smiling woman who said, “I plan to smoke less and walk more.”
The moment I heard that I thought, “She’s the only one who will succeed.” I could imagine that every time the urge to smoke came over her, she’d head for the door and take a spin around the block.
The brilliance of this woman’s plan can be easily adopted by anyone wanting to succeed at creating change or welcoming the new into their lives.
You see, with every change there’s always a tradeoff. If we aren’t willing to make that trade we won’t accomplish what we say we desire. I don’t think that’s pointed out often enough, but it’s an essential step if we’re going to accomplish goals both big and small.
A wonderfully simple way to instigate change or start a new goal-setting project is to create a Do More, Do Less List. It can include simple changes such as “Eat more vegetables, eat less sugar” along with bigger challenges.
In fact, a Do More, Do Less List incorporates the first two steps in my personal goal- setting system: 1. Sharpen Your Focus, 2. Eliminate the Nonessentials. Making room for what you do want by clearing out what’s no longer useful or satisfying, speeds up the process (and avoids unnecessary clutter).
Before you know it, you’ll have created a blueprint for building the life of your dreams.
And while we’re still thinking about resolutions, see what Maria Brophy has to say in her Top Five New Year Resolutions for Creative Entrepreneurs.
Love, love, love your blog, web site and especially your book, Making a Living Without a Job. I bought the 1993 version probably 14 years ago and have had it on my bookshelf all this time. Last month I got laid off from a job I’d had for 12 years, a job I was good at and thought I loved.
Your book has helped me regain my equilibrium & self-confidence. In looking at available jobs, I’m barely qualified for the job I had, much less anything else in the same field. The money was great, but I was having trouble gathering the enthusiasm to go back to school and get my knowledge base up to par.
I really love making and selling my jewelry, doing arts & craft shows and writing. I’m making lists, writing down ideas and looking at classes and resources for small business management in hopes of taking my business to the next level. I’m having a blast.
Thank you for blazing the trail!