This week's Pep Talk Blog: "Win in Ten"

It’s a new year, a time when making resolutions are popular. We make a mental pledge to ourselves, “this year is going to be different.” It might be losing weight, exercising more, smoking less, finding a new job, returning to school, getting involved more in the community, less in unproductive stuff – and many others.

The big challenge with these “New Year” resolutions is keeping them. We start the journey resolute to become superior to our former selves. But let’s be honest, it’s often the exception, rather than the rule, when our goal is met. It’s tough to break old habits.

When giving Pep Talks to others it’s one of the main topics of discussion: how we often start something and, for a while, demonstrate great determination in reaching our goal. But then “life” distracts us and efforts to fulfill the resolution are comprised, by our minds.

Audience members when asked what happens at this moment - when resolutions become compromised - offer many suggestions: “boredom” or “distracted” or “fear of failure” among the most common.

The well-known definition of resolution is “a mental pledge to do something.” However, there’s another definition, that is critical in keeping a New Year’s resolution, it’s this: “the solving of a problem.”

The ability to solve the problem of a bulging waistline, smoker’s cough, dead-end job, lack of education or whatever you’re resolute in changing, starts, and ends, with a shift in thinking.

So the year 2010 has begun. Come as you are, just don’t leave as you were, okay? Open up that space of possibility that lies within each and every one of us to shift from whatever “is” to what “could be.” Let’s transform potential that lies within each of us into prosperity by solving a problem that’s preventing us from becoming superior to our former selves.

This is not easy. There will be many times when you want to quit – don’t. Try three things to keep you on track. First, don’t beat yourself up in weak moments – we all have them; Second, realize you’re not alone. There are many folks out there trying to lose weight, quit smoking, find new jobs – connect with them; Third, put fear and self doubt aside and allow wonderment to win – focus on that dress you want to wear, the career you want to pursue, the life you want to live.

Finally, constantly encourage – give hope and confidence to – yourself and others. It will be the fuel firing the resolute engine within, empowering you, and others, to win in 2010.