It's February: Do your resolutions need recharging?

So how are you doing? Do you feel like you're moving in the direction you want your life to go? Where are you in relation to your hopes and dreams and goals? Do you see yourself making steady progress in the right direction? Taking charge of emotional eating means learning to feed ourselves in ways that are more powerful than food. It means paying attention to our hopes and dreams and taking the steps we need to take to move forward. Taking charge of emotional eating means living a bigger life and learning to think beyond food.

If the picture isn't as rosy as you'd like it to be, if you are off track or struggling or just-plain-not-moving, don't despair. This is a great time to reevaluate, rework your plan, and begin taking some powerful steps in the direction you want to go. Whether you want to write a book, change your job, lose weight, or start using your treadmill for something other than a clothes rack, here are three essential tips for getting (and staying) on track.

1. Be specific.
Set concrete SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Tangible. "I will write three pages every morning before work" is a SMART goal. So is, "I will apply for two jobs this week." "I will get in shape" is not a SMART goal, but "I will complete the weight circuit at the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work" is.

2. Break your overall goal down into manageable steps.
If you want to quit smoking, you'll need more than one "quit smoking goal." Create specific SMART sub-goals and milestones for each day and each week. If you aren't achieving your daily milestones, you'll need to step back and evaluate why your plan isn't working, then add in the components you need to meet your daily targets. Key questions to ask here might be: "Is my goal reasonable for the time frame?" "What might help me increase my odds of success in this situation?" "How can I add in some support or accountability?"

3. Keep the big picture in mind.
Chances are, you are looking to make a change that lasts; create a habit that sticks; or complete the big project you are beginning. "Slow and steady" really does win the race. We tend greatly overestimate what we can accomplish in the short run and underestimate what we can do in the bigger picture. Make sure that you are being realistic and don't take on more than your life and current stress level will allow. Small changes are easier to maintain than drastic leaps outside of your comfort zone.

If you want some extra momentum, some help with accountability, and a gentle but powerful kick-in-the-pants with your goal or dream, consider joining a Resolution Coaching Group. The next session of the Resolution Coaching Telegroups begins February 27 (just click on the link for more information and to listen to a short audio recording about the groups). This is a terrific opportunity to jump start your goals and gain powerful momentum as you move forward with your dream. The small group format is a fun and affordable way to try out Life Coaching. As an additional encouragement, we're offering a discount when you sign up with a friend. Bring a friend and BOTH of you will get a $20 discount on the session. Go here for the scoop.

New Year's Resolutions Don't Have to Fade Away in January . . .

I just added the information about the next series of Resolutions Telecoaching Groups to my website. These groups harness the power of Life Coaching and group support to help you take your goals and resolutions out of the planning stages and make them into the realities you want them to be. If you've been interested in working with a Life Coach, this is a great opportunity to try out coaching in an extremely affordable way.

The next session, consisting of four one-hour groups, begins on February 27. I'm also continuing the "Bring a friend" special discount because it is so much more powerful to take on your dreams with the support of someone who cares about you right there beside you.

Check out the link for more information, including an audio about the groups.

Melissa

Resolution Group: Bring a friend

I'm very excited about the new Resolutions Coaching Telegroups and want to make sure you know about a great opportunity to build your support system, increase your likelihood for succeeding with your goals, have more fun, and save a bundle of money at the same time. Sign up for the group and bring a friend. You can bring any friend--your friend from next door or your old friend from college who lives across the country. These are telephone-based groups so you can use this opportunity to connect with friends anywhere and work towards making your resolutions into realities together.

The bonus is that when you sign up with a friend, BOTH of you get a big discount. I'm offering $20 off the group fee for each of you. You have to get moving though, the first group meets January 23. All the information, including an audio about the group is here.

Take good care,

Melissa