metrognome
JanS — thanks for posting this; it helps to have an outside perspective to stimulate my creativity.
I noticed that half the suggestions were framed in negative language (i.e. #4. Stop berating yourself for being a work in progress) rather than positive language (i.e. using the language of the first line of their explanation, #4 Embrace yourself for being a work in progress).
The observations are also generic enough to make it difficult to create an action plan. Most of us have heard these suggestions every year but have trouble translating them into something tangible. Using #4 again, it would have been helpful if there had been at least one concrete suggestion re: how to celebrate our accomplishments:
1) send yourself a weekly e-mail celebrating your achievements and exploring your plans for the next week. Focus on what you did and use next week’s goals to tackle anything that still needs work. Write this as if you are sending it to your best friend; if you want actually buddy up with someone, please do. Keep copies so you can look back on your achievements at this time next year.
2) buy fresh flowers once a week.
I’ve found in my own life that I hate making and maintaining lists, yet the more concrete and measurable I make things, the easier it is to see ‘progress’ and feel satisfied. About a decade ago I found out just before I left for a road trip to AZ that I would likely be laid off when I returned thanks to the County-Metro merger. I spent the trip pondering my future; I kept my job thanks to seniority and drew up a four year financial plan that focused on positive steps (i.e. use credit card only when absolutely needed and can’t pay cash; pay off new purchases plus $50 or more every month) rather than negative (i.e. don’t use credit cards.) Using a spreadsheet, it was very easy to see progress and make adjustments when needed. Same holds true for exercise, food intake, etc. although tracking the details is a personal choice.
Comcast had a pretty good article on how to create an action list related to a perennial resolution:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-weightresolutionsnottohave/?cid=hero_media
Also, I have found Dr. Andrew Weil’s step-by-step approach to be helpful (I haven’t used his website much; I bought a set of videos which no longer seem to be available):