A recent study at the University of Scranton, as reported by the Journal of Clinical Psychology finds that of the 45% of people who usually make New Year’s resolutions, only 8% of those people actually accomplish them!
So what are we to do?
The internet is chock-full of articles designed to answer this question and most of them are very logical and orderly and make a lot of sense. But they also feel artificial, like another set of rules we’re supposed to follow that may or may not have anything to do with who we actually are.
So here’s a different way to actually accomplish our resolutions this year, one that starts with what I believe to be the primary reason why most goals are not achieved: the goals are externally crafted instead of internally uncovered. I invite you to join me and let me know how it works for you!
1) Set resolutions that actually resonate with your deep inner wisdom.
If resolutions aren’t in line with what the deepest part of you actually wants, they will be much harder to accomplish, and if they are accomplished, the outcome won’t be so satisfying.
This step actually has 4 different parts.
1. Meditate
2. Find the feeling
3. Brainstorm
4. Narrow
After taking ten minutes to breathe and meditate, identify one feeling that you would like to experience throughout the year.
Next, write down anything that comes to mind as something to move toward over the next year – no censoring, judging, or rationalizing allowed!
Then, using the body as a guide (see my December post for guidance), tune in to each item on your list and cross off anything that doesn’t feel like absolute freedom and expansion in the body or anything that doesn’t bring to mind your chosen feeling or anything that’s completely out of your control. You may notice the mind wanting to balk at this stage, but try and trust it!
With the narrowed list of goals that resonate so strongly you want to jump into them immediately, move on to step 2.
2) Break each resolution into tiny, actionable steps and schedule it.
For each goal listed, try to think of all the steps involved and any roadblocks you might encounter.
For example, one of my goals is to meditate daily. There’s really only one step here – to sit down and do it, but my three-year-old is a definite roadblock as I’m home with her much of every day. So my tiny step is to set a timer on my phone to go off around naptime. I remember, and it’s quiet. (So far, I haven’t made it every day, but I’m a heck of a lot closer than I used to be!)
With a bigger goal such as putting on a recital, break it down into as many tiny steps as you can think of: identifying the program, title, venue, advertising streams, getting music, accompaniment, practicing, etc. Altogether the list may feel like a lot and overwhelm may start to rise up, but as you schedule each tiny step into the calendar – again using the body’s expansion/contraction to know how quickly or slowly to move through each phase – you can arrive at a finished project feeling full of accomplishment and, hopefully, your chosen feeling as well.
May you find your own resolutions and move toward them with ease for your best year yet!
Angela Peterson Winter, M.M. is a voice teacher and life coach who helps singers free their voices inside and out so they can sing with ease, perform with confidence, and create with authenticity. She believes that learning to sing is a journey of the body, mind, heart, and spirit and works to pinpoint and release the stuck places throughout for ultimate artistic freedom. She holds degrees from Butler University, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and certifications in coaching and CCM teaching methodologies. She was also a 2011 NATS Intern. Learn more and receive your FREE gift at www.angelapetersonwinter.com.
