Happy New Year! Are you shooting at a paper target or writing in stone? This time of year, so many of us have made New Year’s resolutions, and many of us have already broken them…or know we will. Whether we will keep or break a resolution can depend on the underlying context, or perspective, from which it was created and also on the level of integrity we practice with ourselves.

CONTEXT: If you make resolutions that involve “I should,” “I have to,” or “I need to,” you have already set yourself up to break your resolution, since you are not creating from an empowered foundation. The same is true if you are trying to control, judge, look good, or keep from looking bad. Example: “I have to lose 30 pounds before my high school reunion.” You may or may not indeed take off the 30 pounds, and chances are good that you will gain them back after the reunion is over.

In contrast, empowered perspectives, or contexts, include purpose, vision, commitment, promise, choice, self-value, and self care. Example: “Since I see myself as healthy, energetic, and fit, I resolve to take exquisite care of my body and to release the 30 extra pounds that I no longer choose to carry with me.” Here you have empowered yourself and your choice to take the weight off and to more likely keep it off.

INTEGRITY: Which of these words describes your New Year’s resolutions?

• Resolution: The thing determined upon; decision as to future action showing a fixed, firm purpose
• Goal: An object or end that one strives to attain; aim
• Commitment: Binding, as by a promise or pledge to do something
• Promise: An oral or written agreement to do or not to do something; vow; basis for expectation
• Pledge: Security for the performance of a contract, guarantee, promise, agreement
• Vow: Dedicating oneself to an act, service, or way of life; solemn affirmation or assertion or declaration

What is your relationship to these concepts? In other words, if you make a promise to yourself, what is the likelihood that you will break it? If you set a goal, what is predictable…will you attain your goal or will you quit before you cross the finish line? Do you practice high levels of integrity with commitments you make to others but commitments to yourself dissolve at the first obstacle?

As we move forward into the new decade, consider making resolutions from an empowered, purposeful, vision and practicing high-level integrity to and for yourself. I then predict your experience of life will expand in power, joy, and fulfillment.

Joyful New Year,

P. S. If you are ready to begin the New Year with a new career, enhancing a current career, or getting your finances in order once and for all, you will want to schedule a complimentary consultation with me at https://www.timetrade.com/book/ZKTNN.

P. P. S. Also check out these programs to help expand your income streams. All are open for registration now:

• Become the Ultimate Weight Loss Coach 9-Week Intensive Training teaches you how to avoid the 9 sabotage patterns that overweight people run: http://owlweightloss.com/janispullen/weightlosscoachtrainingintensive/
• O. W. L. Coach Certification & Training Program combines leadership skills, powerful coaching skills, business building training, as well as teaching the 9 sabotage patterns and how to shift them: http://www.owlweightloss.com/programs/certificationtrainingprogram/
• O.W.L. Weight of Money Program teaches you how to make more and keep more of what you make: http://owlweightloss.com/janispullen/wealth/

Success Story:

As a coach trainee in the Ontological Weight Loss (O.W.L.) Coach Certification and Training Program, I recently received coaching from two of my buddy coaches who are already certified in this program. They were both skilled and powerful coaches, which reflects the high quality of this program. I am glad to be a part of it.
Margie Campbell, Albuquerque, NM