Goal Setting

Words Shape Attitudes

It's that time of year again when you do a self-assessment and look at the things that you would like to change. Most people look at January as an opportunity for a fresh start. Now you have to be 100% ready and committed to evoke change. If you aren't committed to a goal it will never materialize. My faithful readers know that I promote the New Year as a great time to add a "word" or "concept" to your life.

Words can dramatically shape your awareness and attitude and thereby change your reality. Instead of lamenting that you want to lose weight, get up earlier, exercise more, give up sugar, or any of the other common January resolutions, consider this:

Pick a word that would alter the way you live if implemented into your life. The process is simple and I find that it affects people on multiple levels.

I ask my clients to self-reflect to determine their needs. Then they are to pick a word that represents or symbolizes the change they would like in their life. This requires thinking about what behavior one might want to eliminate or add to promote better mental health.

For instance, in 2003, a workaholic father picked the word balance because he wanted to have more family time. As he increased his time at home to lead more of a balanced lifestyle, he realized how much more freedom he felt to pursue other activities like church, neighborhood progressive dinners, and monthly date nights with his wife.

A perfectionistic mother who also worked outside the home chose acceptance as her word. She said she was going to work on accepting her imperfections as opposed to beating herself up for them. The result was that she was able to calm the anxiety inside her because she no longer felt driven to do it all.

An overweight client who lost 70 lbs in 2004 identified moderation as her meaningful word. After she picked the word, she felt inspired to eat differently for the first time in her life. Instead of eliminating food choices she cut them in half, which resulted in a consistent weight loss. Her nighttime routine was to come home by 6:30 and watch TV until bedtime. She used the word moderation to cut back on her TV time and added beading to her evening routine. Her jewelry-making substituted for TV and eating. She used the concept of moderation, which dramatically changed her life.

Sometimes the word reflects a mental shift. My word for 2005 is gratitude. I am picking the word because I know that I have the choice to embrace all that has been given to me or to focus on what is lacking in my life. I truly believe that by focusing on gratitude I will be more content, I will appreciate the present, and I will be more fulfilled as a result. For me, gratitude leads to contentment and fulfillment.

Now I challenge you to give up the typical New Year's resolution formula and pick a word to integrate into 2005. You'll know when you have the right word, because it will resonate inside you and it will reflect your need for self-improvement. Write a paragraph on how you will use the word to alter your day, your routine and your life. Then place Post-It notes in several places to visually remind you of your choice. It's a very simple formula, yet it's incredibly powerful. It motivates you both consciously and unconsciously and it can enhance your life forever.