Strategy

This time of year, so many of us are beginning to think about New Year's Resolutions and new beginnings. We make our little lists, we hope and pray and have the best intentions at heart - but rarely are we able to hold on to our promises and our "best intentions" and tendency to procrastinate takes hold.

I think it is the same with everything we start in life. Be it - relationships, jobs, homes, kids - there is such a strong desire to "get this one right" and "prove that THIS is my chance."

Many times, the well ingrained habits and behaviors of the past come whooshing in to destroy or stall your "big plans."

Take for example, your job. I don't know about you - but every new job I start, I say to myself, "This is it. I am going to shine above all of the others. I am going to be kind to each of my coworkers, become someone they can turn to. I am going to be the go-to person for the managers. I am going to ace all of my goals." etc....

What actually happens is this - You have bad days, you have off days. It is not always easy to be kind to some individuals. There are days you feel lazy, or get slighted for a big promotion. Or maybe, some people do not think you are the perfect candidate for the position.

Hopefully not all of those things are coming into play at the same time, but we all know it happens.

Or what about the new home you buy? When you walk in - you have this beautiful blank canvas. You promise your self that THIS time, there will be no eating in the living room, so the beautiful beige carpet will NOT get stains, or you will not put off cleaning the base boards.. etc. Then a few months later, you walk around and find crumbs in the cushions, a small splatter stain on the carpet, and pet hair permanently attached to the base board.

How can we break this cycle of falling into bad habits?

I was chatting last night with a good friend of mine, and she told me you need a strategy. Always hoping for positive outcomes, but understanding that our goal may not be the practical goal. Hmmm... food for thought.

I need a few strategies in my life. You think it would be the easiest thing for me - since, in my job, I have to strategize entire marketing/media campaigns. But when it comes to personal things, I am the worst.

Even though I have found the guy I wanted to marry, I have a career I can be proud of, and I have interesting hobbies - there is so much I need to improve upon. Laziness, anger, disorganization... soo many things creep in and cause me to fail at my tiny goals.

Achieving a goal is one thing. Maintaining that goal at a proper level is another.

What type of "goal" do you struggle with?