Thursday, March 14, 2013

Jan 5, 2013--Celebrating Minor Successes



As we move into day 6 of the year twenty-thirteen, many of us are considering what we can do to improve our situation.  We may be thinking about personal improvements, such as learning a new language or finding a new job; we may be planning to make physical improvements, such as improving our eating habits or level of activity; or we may just want to make changes in our surroundings, such as improvements to our home or perhaps purchasing a new home.  Whatever you have decided to take on or give up this year, I wish you luck, but more I wish you dedication. 
Dedication pushes us through otherwise insurmountable odds.  It is what tells you to keep going, when everyone around you is failing.  Dedication moves forward with every success and resets the backstop.  If you have this type of commitment you will succeed, even if you don’t achieve your intended goal.  Commitment to a goal is bound to realize some level of accomplishment and with varying levels of achievement come personal growth.
What do you think?  Are you buying what I am selling? 
Too be honest, it’s kind of strange to write these words, as they are usually coming from the mouths of friends and family as they try to convince me of my own success; or from my own mouth as I encourage those around me.  Why is it so difficult to see our own success?
Well, I am determined to improve my own outlook.  I will attempt to find my own minor successes in attempts my former self would have viewed as failures.
For instance, my numerous attempts to clear our “back porch” in order to find a creative space will no longer be viewed as failures, but partial successes.  While I have not been able to claim it as an inspired work space, my repeated efforts to do so have reduced the piles of discarded sports equipment and categorized tools and garden equipment. So far, the producers of that reality show about hoarders have not yet knocked on my door.  Success!
My inability to stay on top of my social media marketing for the shop—especially my blog—has been a constant source of self-admonition this year.  Instead of berating myself for not doing better, I will congratulate myself for not distracting my loyal Facebook fans, Twitter followers and blog readers with a barrage of my ramblings.  Success!
My efforts to re-establish a workout routine have not emerged, but I do take my dog on long-ish brisk walks each morning.  Of course, this is more in an effort to break her spirit and hope for a few moments of inactivity, than to keep the size of my thighs in check, but it’s something.  Oh yeah, for the past two months, I also managed to squeeze several days of “power yoga” each week.  So, cheers to my better than nothing fitness efforts!
I just decided to take a look back at what I promised to do better last year and was delighted to find that I made no resolutions last year—other than to get past the misery of 2011.  So kudos to me on that stroke of brilliance—no goals means “no failures.” 
Wow—I am on a roll!
So, whatever you decide to put your mind to in 2013, I hope you do attack it with dogged determination, but, if you are only able to lose 13 lbs. instead of the full 20 lbs. or if your to-be-filed pile remains, even though you resolved to be more organized, I hope you are able to find your minor successes and celebrate them!  If you need a cheerleading section, give me a call.

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