HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I do not usually make New Year resolutions... but I think I am up for the challenge this year. So here goes nothing.

2012

1. Lose weight (40 to 60 lbs)
a. Track food everyday
b. Work out 2 or 3 days a week

2. Dressing for the job I want instead of the job I have
a. Doing my hair every morning
b. Putting on make-up

3. Organize and clean my house more

4. Blog more often

5. Make a bucket list

20 Ways On How To Actually Change For This New Year

I stole this, but I thought it had some really good points! :)
http://www.9kracing.com/how-to-actually-change-this-new-year/#.TwNKEjzUTX0.facebook

1. Excuses.
There is always an excuse – why you can’t do it, why today it didn’t happen, how you’re going to do it tomorrow. When we find excuses for not doing things, we’re rebelling. We just want to stay in a comfort zone. See how this comes up again? A part of it is that your ego feels threatened by moving forward and wants to protect you.But really, you’re totally safe.When you do something you haven’t done before, your ego goes into a state of alarm: “Watch out! Danger!” and then fear kicks in.But my answer to that is
“No. FEAR is fucking awesome”
This reframe changes the game. We say “I can’t,” but really we’re afraid to try something new. That’s the truth and we’re afraid to admit it, or to even prove ourselves wrong. You are capable of more. You can handle more, even in the midst of a challenge. Try it, you may be surprised, and bust a limiting belief.

2. Perfectionism
When you get caught up in ideals, you create resistance that gets in the way of your motivation. You’re stuck focusing on the ideal and think “If its not perfect, why bother?” We’re so addicted to this in our society. We feel that getting the best grades, getting the awards, getting all these accolades defines us and holds the basis of our self-worth. And if we don’t get the gold star, we beat ourselves up and miss the point. If you get caught with in achieving perfect results, you’re never going to start anything. You’re paralyzed.

Thomas Edison invented 3,000 duds before he invented the lightbulb. He himself did not call it failure. Instead, he said: “Any of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

3. Comparing yourself to others
This is another potent motivation-zapper. Even worse, it can prevent you from finding your own path. Motivation is truly personal.Study what motivates others as inspiration, but if it gets you stuck or moving backwards with doubt, then why bother? It’s easy to get lost in someone else’s life, wishing that it was your own.Trying to be ‘like’ ANYONE is a total waste of time.Yes, we’re all guilty of it. Remember: there is only one of YOU.The universe made you perfect. Ignoring that and trying to emulate someone else is a slap in the face.

4. Thinking that you’re not ‘good enough
If, like me, you grew up hearing “You have to prove yourself to the world!”, that mantra probably still follows you. It can run you to the ground. I understand that in your work you have to show your abilities or your skills to prove you can deliver. But you shouldn’t rely on that for self-validation.If you’ve been told you’re not good enough, I understand the programming. It hurts and digs deep. But make no mistake: it’s a LIE.You have to be motivated to fulfill your soul’s desire, to create your own happiness, healing and harmony.If you were born, then you are good enough.

5. Doing too much at once.
Bitten off more than you can chew? That might be sabotaging your progress. You’ve got to pull back a little bit and really look at what’s going on. Don’t be a slave to your ego. I get snagged by this one and always have to step back to make sure my choices are in alignment with my soul. If you feel that it’s too overwhelming, take one step at a time.

6. Baby steps.
The solution here is to hone in on your goal, desire, or dream. Life will happen. It will always take more time, more money or more anything than you anticipated. Don’t let it stop you, and remember to check in with your WHY. It’s about setting goals that stretch you outside of your comfort zone and you believe, on one level, that you can achieve. Go for a C+, good enough and I promise you will do better. It’s a great way to trick the ego and make it right. This may keep you motivated to do more. Being aware and taking passionate action keeps you on the level and open to enjoying the adventure.

7. Haters Gonna Hate.
Understand people’s actions, even when hurtful, rarely have anything to do with you. It’s easy to read into the negativity of others and see it as a slight to our personality or challenge to our ego. Yet this type of reaction can trigger unnecessary stress and prevent you from focusing on the positive things in your life. People are people; there’s never a need to link their behavior and your happiness. Knowing this gives you freedom to feel the confidence you deserve.

8. Keep laughing.
Let your brain give vent to the endorphins that will fill you with authentic happiness and internal confidence. Laughter releases some of the tension that invariably builds in your body each day. Pepper your routine with the people or media that make you most happy. You don’t have to overdo it, but a bit of levity goes a long way toward elevating your levels of confidence

9. Embrace the quiet.
Many people are eager to populate every waking second with activity. With a world moving at the speed of broadband, the problem blooms more with every passing day. Realize you can be comfortable alone with your thoughts and you will provide your internal processes the space needed to develop. This will make you more comfortable with yourself, helping you appear more confident to others.

10. Make a budget.
If this isn’t natural for you, take the time to do it anyway. Claiming control of your finances is an early step to a healthy attitude about money. Though many people believe confidence comes with having lots of cash, confidence accompanies a clear picture of what you have and what you need.

11. Don’t gossip.
Exit conversations that swim in hearsay. Indulging in idle chatter might make you feel in the loop, but the feeling is fleeting and will leave you wondering what others are saying about you when you’re not around. Take the high road – you’ll feel better inside and appear far more confident to others around you.

12. Do as you say and say as you do.
This doesn’t mean you have to draw neat lines through all of life’s to-do’s, but if you articulate your goals, and start to accomplish them, easy ones first, you will develop a mindset of success. This, in turn, makes it easier to feel confident. Your goals could be anything from running your first 5K to finally cleaning out the garage; learning how to strum a guitar or play the piano. Whatever your goals, find something you truly desire, make a promise to see it through to the end, then feel the confidence of success.

13. Make peace with your body.
You will always want to stay active and improve your health, but your confidence comes with the understanding that no matter your size, shape, number of wrinkles or height, you are a person who deserves love and dignity from yourself and those around you. Truly know this, and confidence will bleed through your skin.

14. Realize you know more than you think you do.
All those things you think everyone else just knows? Well, they don’t. If you don’t know something, there’s no shame in asking for the answer. Admitting you don’t have the answer is the first step toward finding it, and the right answers pave the road to confidence.

15. Be enthusiastic.
Playing it cool is a great way to ignore your honest emotions and bury the authentic you. Be happy and excited, and allow the world to see it. Your joy will be infectious, your confidence contagious.

16. Interact with animals and nature
– It’s funny when you consider how humans put so much importance on their own tiny problems. Animals don’t think this way. A little bird doesn’t mope around because it isn’t an eagle or because another bird beat it to a tasty seed. Animals live in the present moment and they show love unconditionally. Observing and interacting with them will help you get over your problems.

17. Break your routine
Going through the same routine, day after day, can be monotonous and depressing. It often leads to getting caught in a rut. To get out of it you need to temporarily change your routine. If you can, take a day off from work. Do something you don’t normally have time for or something you’ve never tried. In the long run, taking a day off every now and then to get out of slump will make you happier and more productive.

18. Be Positive
Be that motivating force for your friends, family, and even yourself There are too many naysayers in this world. Stand up and make a difference. It will not only affect your happiness, but also the people who you care for and love.

19. Get Extreme
Pushing your limits will also push back your ego aka comfort zone. Jumping out of an airplane, going skydiving, or doing any type of extreme sports are the best way of doing it. Push yourself to actually go out and jump out of that plane. Once the duty is done, you will have a new concept on how to live your life. Never hold back, push the mold, and reap the benefits of taking risks.

20. Live Life
I hate to sound cliche, but we only live once. Its 100% true and if you don’t seize your opportunities, then you are just letting the grim reaper steal time on your life clock. Start finishing your bucket list now!