The New Year has begun and it is time to make your resolution to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, or whatever it is that you want to achieve. Almost overnight using the word “resolution” millions of people around the world will plan to achieve the goals they have with the intention of succeeding.

Resolutions are great way to make people feel good about what they are “going” to do. The phrase “New Year’s resolution” causes us to feel happy, accomplished and successful because we really believe that this is the year that we are going achieve our goals and dreams.  Many people will start working on their resolutions and some will succeed at reaching their goals. Unfortunately, with people being true to their human nature, I believe that more people will fail than succeed.

The problem with accomplishing those resolutions that we make each year is that we are comfortable with the lifestyles that we have.

The reason that we don’t have the body we desire, lots of money and all of those other things that we is because we have settled for the way things are.

Think about it. Most everyone would enjoy having millions of dollars in the bank, great health and ability to do anything they want. However, not everyone is a millionaire nor do they have perfect health. It is because we can get by with less.  We spend our lives doing things that make keep us in our comfort zone. Unfortunately, happiness can mean being comfortable as long as our needs are met.

What is the reason for a change?

It is not until some major event happens that are we truly willing to make major changes. People will make changes in their lives when they are forced to. When things hurt and become uncomfortable. If you lose a job, are involved in an accident, have a major event happen, or worst of all the loss of a loved one happens, we are then forced out of our comfort zone, which is when we will find the drive that it takes to change out of a need to survive.

If you truly want to make a change in your life you need to identify what it is about the thing you want to change that hurts the most. Why do you want to lose weight? Are you embarrassed by the way you look? Do you want to quit smoking because you can’t breathe when you walk a flight of stairs? Are you tired of living from paycheck to paycheck because you aren’t earning to your full potential? Focus on that pain!

Once you realize the pain or the why of whatever it is that you want to change.  You should focus on the pain that it causes. Then you will know why and how to succeed with those resolutions. Then you can add a new resolution to you list that says “I won’t have the same resolutions next year!”