Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to keep your New Year’s resolutions? After having set a number of lofty goals, the daunting task of following through with those initial commitments faces us all. We often end up frustrated and feeling guilty when we are unable to follow through on our good intentions and we fall short of our target. Many of us have even given up on the whole idea of setting well-intended goals, having come to realize that the time spent in frustration is not worth the effort. How would you like to begin transforming your life for the better this year with less effort and less frustration? I have great news for you. Rather than set major resolutions for 2007, how about setting a few goals for this next week? Just as a baby experiences life in its entire splendor one step at a time, you too should consider using the “Baby Step” approach to setting your goals. I often recommend to my clients that they place themselves in the shoes of an infant just learning to walk. When making positive transformations in your life, imagine that you too must take short steps in the form of specific goals that you could realistically accomplish within a short period of time. If you are new to goal-setting, rather than set lofty goals that you may or may not realize in 2007, start first by taking that initial step of setting and accomplishing goals within a one or two-week period of time. Most individuals are able to stay focused on short-term goals if the chances of success are high.
 Read the rest of this entry »