Sunday Story...Execution Day

Sunday Story...Execution Day

Recently, someone asked me why we set all these new plans and goals and such for the new year or, often, for New Years Day. Why not just do it now? Or why not set some other arbitrary date? Is there some magic that happens on New Years Day? Is there something that makes our attempts at change or transformation more likely to succeed?

The answer as usual is yes and no. I doubt there is any one of us reading this that has not set a New years resolution only to fall flat on our faces a day or two or a week later. Maybe this was the year to quit smoking and here we are in the last week of the year and you have been smoking for 51 weeks. Or was this year you were going to finally get in shape? How did that work out for you? Did you decide to get on the healthy diet path? Not so good? So, obviously there is no inherent magic in deciding to do/change/transform your life on New Years Day. I mean you could have picked the Ides of March, or May Day, or Flag Day for all the difference you made, right?

Yet every year we see people trying, deciding, hoping, wishing, praying to finally do the things they really think they should do. So where is the magic, the special mojo that January 1^st is going to provide?

Lets look back...way back to our paleolithic ancestors. They knew that the Sun had hit it shortest day recently. From now on the days would lengthen, spring was going to happen but not before some very hard days and nights. But the hope would be there, would begin again with a wish and a promise. There would be ½ a year of longer days from now on, until those days began to shorten again. We would have been spending a lot of time resting, restoring our bodies and slowing down. This was and is a time of reflection.

In those times and our modern time this is the time when we look back on our year and start making some assessments. What worked really well? What didn't work so well? What plans and goals did we achieve. Which ones didn't get done? Why not? Our ancestors may just now be realizing that the food stores were not going to last, or that February wasn't going to be the “hungry” month. Their existence over the next few months was going to be directly related to the success and planning that took place way back in July and August and September.

So how was your year? If it was like mine there were some high points and some low points. There were some things that I achieved, that I planned on doing and got done. There were some things that happened that were pleasant surprises, things that arose from proper planning and goal setting. There were disappointments, things I hadn't planned on, things that got all messed up through poor planning, poor execution or just plain old poor performance.

Here's part of the magic that happens this time of year. I can more easily take the time to make these assessments. Because there is more time for reflection I can spend it on assessing what worked, what didn't and how I can make it better. I can then make some decisions about what I can do to be more successful in the coming months. Even better I can spend the time making a plan of action that will see me achieve those goals and plans.

None of this guarantees success, however. Achieving those goals or making lasting changes in your life and lifestyle takes much more than just setting a goal or making a resolution. It takes execution. It takes a plan that has you in action every day. Want to quit smoking? There are things you need to do every day to make that happen. If you are going to have a goal to get in shape you better define what that means to you first. My definition is not going to do you any good unless you agree with it. Then you craft a plan that will get you to your desired definition of fitness. Then you execute your plan. AND you enlist a team that will support you on your quest, whether you are going to lose weight, quit smoking, or climb Mt. Everest. A goal, a plan, a team and then you execute. And you execute every moment of every day. You don't eat right 2 out of 3 meals a day. No, everything that crosses your lips is healthy and nutritious.

Obviously some of these things require more team members than others. And the team is critical to your success. Without a team you will find the mountain much harder to climb. When we find others who have already walked the path we can learn from their mistakes and their successes. When we have a coach keeping us accountable it is easier to get up for that 6AM workout. When we have a teacher giving us the information we need to understand what we are doing we could begin to cook meals that are nutritious and tasty.

Is there magic to be had now? Yes, if you choose to find it. You have the time, you can assess what worked and where you want to go. You can make your plan, breaking it down into small manageable steps and you can build a team that will support, encourage, coach and educate you on your journey. If you want to be successful you can be. Don't make resolutions, Execute your resolutions.

When you are ready to transform your life, when you are ready to take the next step on this grand adventure, call me, write me and let me be on your team. I live for your success.

Namaste

John

“Teaching Focus, Inspiring Transformation”

www.martialartsnevada.com

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