Subtle Changes Can Bring Results in the New Year

DURHAM, N.C. - Jan. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Okay, it’s a new year and almost everyone has some resolutions, right? We’ve made plans to lose weight, break bad habits, change direction or try to do something new or different that we hope that will change our lives. But are we setting ourselves up for failure or is success just over the next horizon?

If you’re tired of making resolutions and setting goals only to be disappointed with your progress, I’ve got some news that may shake your world. I recently discovered something so simple that I hope it will bring you new vision in the new year. This may not be for everyone but if it works for you, take it and run with it!

Last year, I decided to cut down on my sugar intake. I am the first born of seven children and my family has a history of diabetes and heart disease. Two much younger brothers are on dialysis and my father died an early death as a dialysis patient. I didn’t want those maladies to live with me so I knew I had to make some major life changes.

I loved chocolate so I decided to limit my eating of chocolate. Notice, I did not say stop. Instead of eating my five mini chocolate bars each day, I only ate two. After a week, I ate only one. It was hard but within a two weeks, my desire subsided. At the end of a month, it was nearly gone. My size 12 (I was once in a 20W) began to fit again and my energy increased. I even started walking more regularly. The pain in my knees even disappeared!I still eat desserts but not in the same way. Instead of my desire managing me, I manage it.

So here’s my question, instead of making resolutions or setting goals, why don’t you try just making subtle changes? Instead of saying that you will lose the weight, try cutting down on sugar. Skip dessert for a week. If you’re able to make that subtle change, then you are not setting yourself up for the failure. If you stumble for one day, don’t beat yourself up and give up. Start again the next day. It’s like cutting your destination into bite size pieces that are more easily managed. And if you are consistent, you will lose weight.

It’s called developing a new process instead of setting goals. When many of us fail to reach our goals, we consider it failure. But if we focus on process (eliminating one dessert per day) that subtle change will garner results! So whatever you want to achieve in this new year, remember that it should become a part of your daily routine instead of the focal point of your life.

Remember…You are the ultimate artist of your life’s canvas. Others can only help you mix the colors you already have in your palette. Why not paint a new process instead of setting goals you may not achieve.

For more empowering tips and information, visit Dr.Gail Hayes' blog, http://www.drgailhayes.wordpress.com., and her website http://www.handleyourbusinessgirl.com.