By Elizabeth R. Elstien
You’re in the middle of month five of your New Year’s resolution. Let’s face it, most people don’t last this long. Kudos to you if you are a resolution rockstar. Keep on rockin’ it!
For the rest of us who fell off the boat we were sailing on sometime in January, are you tired of fighting storms and being drenched? I’m here with your life jacket. Yes, it’s your time to stay afloat and dry with some splashes here and there while riding the waves of change.
Drop Your Anchor
First, put your anchor down and start anew. Think of resolutions as a pact with yourself to make a change in your life. There are no hard and fast rules that state you must begin that deal on January 1. For most of us, that’s like making a pact with the devil, as nothing positive will come of it and you are doomed to fail.
Why? Because you’re not ready. Changes can be made any time, but you must be ready and willing to put in the work to ensure that change happens.
Think about your goals and what you want to work toward. I suggest working on one goal at a time for ease in steering. Some resolutions are for short-term goals, while others are longer-term resolutions such as saving money for retirement or your kid’s education. Perhaps you need to work through an addiction or death of a loved one.
You may want to ask someone you trust to help you stay the course and achieve that change you want. It’s okay to ask for help. All goals—short-or long-term—are important. The water is not always smooth and at times the waves can be high, but you can be prepared with a first mate.
Grab Your Compass
Now it’s time for you to study the map to best decide the direction of change that’s right for you and the goal you’ve chosen. While we’re not quite ready to hoist that anchor yet, have your compass ready to stay on course. Map out your goal, how you want to achieve it, and what steps you can take to bring your goal to fruition.
Develop A Life Jacket Resolution Plan
Develop a step-by-step plan to reach your goal(s). Think ahead and prepare for the worst. Consider this plan your life jacket for those days when you get hit by the sail and knocked off the boat because it will happen. It’s better to be safe and prepared than sopping wet with no rescue in sight.
Prepare for Setbacks
Keep your map and compass handy. By noting any pitfalls that could occur and how you will deal with them, you are setting yourself up to better handle setbacks and stay on course. Suppose the money you saved for two months had to be used to cover a vehicle repair. List the steps you would take to handle this situation—both emotionally and physically.
With proper planning, these unexpected situations are only temporary and won’t totally blow you off course. It’s how you deal with getting wet that puts you back on that sailboat to a successful life change.
Reach Milestones and Celebrations
Include milestones and celebrations in your resolution plan. For instance, when you reach the $500 mark toward retirement savings then you get to treat yourself to a meal at that new fancy restaurant. No guilt, just good food and the sense of accomplishment at riding the waves to this point in your goal.
Create several milestones with fun ways to celebrate each success, but don’t space them out too far or you may tip the boat and start to slide off. Make it easy on yourself. It’s best to have more milestones to encourage you to use that compass and stay on course. Feeling a sense of accomplishment is important when sailing toward your goal.
Navigate the Waters and Stay on Course
No sailor would leave the bay without knowing where they were heading. Developing a clear goal-oriented resolution plan and following through with it, no matter how many waves knock you off, is critical. This plan is your life jacket to success, as it makes it easier to stay dry and avoid a plunge in the icy water of uncertainty.
Now it’s time to lift that anchor and allow the winds of change to steer you toward your goal. Let your first mate, if you choose one, be your compass that consistently guides you along the way when the water gets rough and rocky. Trust that person enough to listen and allow them to be your strength when needed.
Use all your tools to navigate the waters of resolution, avoid distractions, and stay the course. Soon it will be smooth sailing ahead.
Peaceable Kingdom Living 