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How to Make Resolutions Work for You

Posted By: Randy GageMay 16, 2011

Last post we explored the power in making resolutions. But how do you avoid the situation of most - making New Year’s resolutions, only to break them in a few weeks?

Resolutions made because it’s the trendy time to make them are not resolutions at all.  They’re usually half thought out, premature, and broken shortly thereafter.

A real resolution is usually slow and deliberate in the making.  It’s the result of dissatisfaction with your current state of affairs, and a vision of where you want to go.  You must do the necessary critical thinking, examine the potential challenges your decision will entail, and be prepared to overcome them.

When you have examined it completely, and understand the nature of your resolution, then you’ll move forward without fear or doubt to its completion.

Now don’t be surprised if once you make the resolution, you immediately face a torrent of temptations to take you off your path.  This is the universe testing to see if you are real.    If you’ve done the process right in making the resolution, you will prevail.  Those temptations and your victory over them are what build the character to become the person you want to be.

Ain’t it great!

-RG

16 comments on “How to Make Resolutions Work for You”

  1. Sometimes I think we might be "programed" to break our resolutions or "not" reach our goals, due to the "language" we use.

    Personally I like to "make a promise" to myself. I don't break promises.

    1. by the way...as for the universe and the "tests" how bad do you want this!!?? Oh if only I could count the times LOL

    2. this has definitely worked for me. Words are very powerful and a promise to me can't be broken which is why it has had such a profound effect on my results.

  2. Randy,

    Great post. I like what you said about being tested. Whenever we make a decision to make a change, the temptation to go in the opposite direction is almost always there to try and get us off track. Thanks for the reminder on this one for sure.

    Mark Harbert

  3. Thank you, Randy! A good explanation of how to make solid, accomplishable Resolutions. I like it!

    I do have two questions, however. One is to do with "examine the potential challenges". I'd add a caveat, "... insofar as anyone can predict them".

    Secondly: Frankly, I've never cared much for this idea of "the universe (aka God) testing us". According to my definition, God (aka the Universe) is not the Big Teacher who gives us "tests" - I find the very idea slightly wacky!

    I'm not 100% sure of just what IS going on, when we find ourselves faced with what some folks call "a test". I'm inclined to think it is just our ol' subconscious stuff getting stirred up, like a pond when a rock (or resolution) gets chucked into the middle. If the rock is big, so is the splash. And if the pond is frozen ... ah, but none of us, surely, suffer from Frozen Mind Syndrome, do we?

    But "a test"? I think not. I'm willing to be challenged about this, however. Make your case:

    1. Mrs. H&P,
      Thank you for the great question. I'm going to take a whack at this.
      Remember from physics class when you learned Newton's Laws of Motion? Well, Newton's 1st law is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion or that an object standing still, tends to stay still. Basically, the direction an object is going - it likes to go that way - unless acted upon by an external force.
      These decisions to try something new and different than your current path (we are calling them resolutions) are disruptive of the thoughts, habits, and beliefs you've had of the past. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, your current path has momentum. As Newton told us, it likes to go that way. So expect bumps in the road that test your resolve towards your newly chosen direction. These are the 'tests' Randy is talking about.
      They are actually your old beliefs trying to stay alive in your subconscious and manifesting in the physical world. I hope this helps.
      John

      1. Thanks John. Yes, I can agree that "my resolve will be tested" - I only take exception to the idea that we will be "given" tests, as though the challenges are coming from somewhere outside ourselves. That is fuzzy thinking - and worse, a position of "no power".
        When we recognize that the challenges have to do with our inner-stuff, than we have Power. We can renovate our own minds, unpack our own baggage....and we must. No "blaming God" for the tests!
        You know this, John; so do most of the folks reading this blog. So let's all join together to eliminate this absurd "God will test us" codswallop.

        1. I agree. From a non-duality perspective, there is nothing outside of ourselves. Everything is projected from our consciousness, including any perceived "tests."

  4. I changed my words regarding resolutions years ago. The word resolutions had a negative vibe with me. Not quite sure why but I replaced it with, Promise. For whatever reason, a promise to myself was more significant. I placed more value on it than a resolution. I looked at resolution more as problem solving than conviction to change. I have always placed great value on promise. When I tell someone that I promise to.... I eliminate the possibility of failure. I guess there is still some old fashion values I hold on to, like my belief about a man should be a man. Even though I am a woman of substance and can take care of myself, I still desire a man who wants to and believes his position is to take care of me. We were created from man and I think we discount the power and impact a man can have on woman if we allow them to do what is in their true nature, which is to provide and protect. I still want a man to open the door for me, to stand up when I leave the table, to move me to the inside of the curb, to tell me that I'll be there for you, to hold me with strength beyond my own. I don't resolve to find that man, I promise myself I won't settle for anything less. That's my response, popular or not.

  5. "A real resolution is usually slow and deliberate in the making."

    Love it! A REAL resolution is a commitment that actually grows stronger when faced with challenges and temptations.
    jim

  6. As I see it, test are not created by God. Test are created by the very nature of the world we live in. The test is the way we handle this life and grow in the process. As a baby we came into this world with nothing set. Just the potential to do well. Confronting negativity, greed, selfishness,pride, power seekers are the tests. God gives us the answers to life but the freedom to make our own choices for good or for bad, or maybe just to go with the flow. How we use that potential is up to us. I would hardly claim Randy is a prophet but my goodness me what a power he is in helping people to live up to their potential with all the qualities that make for the "good life" Thanks for that

  7. After reading your explanation I understand why I didn't complete my resolutions. They weren't strong enough. Strong to the point of wanting something so much that there is absolutely nothing that can stop me from achieving them, or as you say , nothing that take me off my path.
    And the reason for this weakness in my resolutions is that they weren't taken with the necessary critical thinking and time.
    I'm going to work on that.

    Thanks,

    Ximena

  8. Hi Randy,

    I like your approach that making a resolution is a slow process, like a fermentation process. We have to channel this mental fermentation into the right direction - into a thoughtful resolution. Of course, we should expect challenges when we get started.

    Thanks for sharing your insights.

    Take care

    Oliver

  9. Randy,
    Resolutions are a great idea for change if you need to make one. I have a lifelong commitment to spirit in the form of personal growth.

    So my whole life is one big resolution so to speak.

  10. When I write and review goals, I'm often doing them in all areas of my life. It turns out to be quite a list. But in amongst that there are two or three things that stand out as being really important, usually to do with personal development, but it may be something specific I really want to attain. It is those things that then become more like resolutions I guess, though I'd never really thought of it in that term. I feel more strongly about it and it's not just a desire to achieve/attain it, it's a real urge. That urge doesn't necessarily stick around, so I find I really need to get cracking on working towards it to get that momentum happening.

    I really do like the idea of taking the time to think about potential barriers, and figuring out ways to overcome them before they happen. Usually I just address them as they come up. I can see that being prepared will help with staying on track.

    Challenges/barriers/"tests" are part of the process of achieving something. Overcoming them leads to increased strength and resilience. If they weren't there, I wouldn't need to make a resolution in the first place, and everyone else would be there already. I get pleasure out of overcoming challenges, and secretly enjoy achieving things that others struggle to do. And then of course there's those who attain far more than I, and serve to motivate and challenge me to overcome more barriers!

    smashed barrier --> elation!

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  • 16 comments on “How to Make Resolutions Work for You”

    1. Sometimes I think we might be "programed" to break our resolutions or "not" reach our goals, due to the "language" we use.

      Personally I like to "make a promise" to myself. I don't break promises.

      1. by the way...as for the universe and the "tests" how bad do you want this!!?? Oh if only I could count the times LOL

      2. this has definitely worked for me. Words are very powerful and a promise to me can't be broken which is why it has had such a profound effect on my results.

    2. Randy,

      Great post. I like what you said about being tested. Whenever we make a decision to make a change, the temptation to go in the opposite direction is almost always there to try and get us off track. Thanks for the reminder on this one for sure.

      Mark Harbert

    3. Thank you, Randy! A good explanation of how to make solid, accomplishable Resolutions. I like it!

      I do have two questions, however. One is to do with "examine the potential challenges". I'd add a caveat, "... insofar as anyone can predict them".

      Secondly: Frankly, I've never cared much for this idea of "the universe (aka God) testing us". According to my definition, God (aka the Universe) is not the Big Teacher who gives us "tests" - I find the very idea slightly wacky!

      I'm not 100% sure of just what IS going on, when we find ourselves faced with what some folks call "a test". I'm inclined to think it is just our ol' subconscious stuff getting stirred up, like a pond when a rock (or resolution) gets chucked into the middle. If the rock is big, so is the splash. And if the pond is frozen ... ah, but none of us, surely, suffer from Frozen Mind Syndrome, do we?

      But "a test"? I think not. I'm willing to be challenged about this, however. Make your case:

      1. Mrs. H&P,
        Thank you for the great question. I'm going to take a whack at this.
        Remember from physics class when you learned Newton's Laws of Motion? Well, Newton's 1st law is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion or that an object standing still, tends to stay still. Basically, the direction an object is going - it likes to go that way - unless acted upon by an external force.
        These decisions to try something new and different than your current path (we are calling them resolutions) are disruptive of the thoughts, habits, and beliefs you've had of the past. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, your current path has momentum. As Newton told us, it likes to go that way. So expect bumps in the road that test your resolve towards your newly chosen direction. These are the 'tests' Randy is talking about.
        They are actually your old beliefs trying to stay alive in your subconscious and manifesting in the physical world. I hope this helps.
        John

        1. Thanks John. Yes, I can agree that "my resolve will be tested" - I only take exception to the idea that we will be "given" tests, as though the challenges are coming from somewhere outside ourselves. That is fuzzy thinking - and worse, a position of "no power".
          When we recognize that the challenges have to do with our inner-stuff, than we have Power. We can renovate our own minds, unpack our own baggage....and we must. No "blaming God" for the tests!
          You know this, John; so do most of the folks reading this blog. So let's all join together to eliminate this absurd "God will test us" codswallop.

          1. I agree. From a non-duality perspective, there is nothing outside of ourselves. Everything is projected from our consciousness, including any perceived "tests."

    4. I changed my words regarding resolutions years ago. The word resolutions had a negative vibe with me. Not quite sure why but I replaced it with, Promise. For whatever reason, a promise to myself was more significant. I placed more value on it than a resolution. I looked at resolution more as problem solving than conviction to change. I have always placed great value on promise. When I tell someone that I promise to.... I eliminate the possibility of failure. I guess there is still some old fashion values I hold on to, like my belief about a man should be a man. Even though I am a woman of substance and can take care of myself, I still desire a man who wants to and believes his position is to take care of me. We were created from man and I think we discount the power and impact a man can have on woman if we allow them to do what is in their true nature, which is to provide and protect. I still want a man to open the door for me, to stand up when I leave the table, to move me to the inside of the curb, to tell me that I'll be there for you, to hold me with strength beyond my own. I don't resolve to find that man, I promise myself I won't settle for anything less. That's my response, popular or not.

    5. "A real resolution is usually slow and deliberate in the making."

      Love it! A REAL resolution is a commitment that actually grows stronger when faced with challenges and temptations.
      jim

    6. As I see it, test are not created by God. Test are created by the very nature of the world we live in. The test is the way we handle this life and grow in the process. As a baby we came into this world with nothing set. Just the potential to do well. Confronting negativity, greed, selfishness,pride, power seekers are the tests. God gives us the answers to life but the freedom to make our own choices for good or for bad, or maybe just to go with the flow. How we use that potential is up to us. I would hardly claim Randy is a prophet but my goodness me what a power he is in helping people to live up to their potential with all the qualities that make for the "good life" Thanks for that

    7. After reading your explanation I understand why I didn't complete my resolutions. They weren't strong enough. Strong to the point of wanting something so much that there is absolutely nothing that can stop me from achieving them, or as you say , nothing that take me off my path.
      And the reason for this weakness in my resolutions is that they weren't taken with the necessary critical thinking and time.
      I'm going to work on that.

      Thanks,

      Ximena

    8. Hi Randy,

      I like your approach that making a resolution is a slow process, like a fermentation process. We have to channel this mental fermentation into the right direction - into a thoughtful resolution. Of course, we should expect challenges when we get started.

      Thanks for sharing your insights.

      Take care

      Oliver

    9. Randy,
      Resolutions are a great idea for change if you need to make one. I have a lifelong commitment to spirit in the form of personal growth.

      So my whole life is one big resolution so to speak.

    10. When I write and review goals, I'm often doing them in all areas of my life. It turns out to be quite a list. But in amongst that there are two or three things that stand out as being really important, usually to do with personal development, but it may be something specific I really want to attain. It is those things that then become more like resolutions I guess, though I'd never really thought of it in that term. I feel more strongly about it and it's not just a desire to achieve/attain it, it's a real urge. That urge doesn't necessarily stick around, so I find I really need to get cracking on working towards it to get that momentum happening.

      I really do like the idea of taking the time to think about potential barriers, and figuring out ways to overcome them before they happen. Usually I just address them as they come up. I can see that being prepared will help with staying on track.

      Challenges/barriers/"tests" are part of the process of achieving something. Overcoming them leads to increased strength and resilience. If they weren't there, I wouldn't need to make a resolution in the first place, and everyone else would be there already. I get pleasure out of overcoming challenges, and secretly enjoy achieving things that others struggle to do. And then of course there's those who attain far more than I, and serve to motivate and challenge me to overcome more barriers!

      smashed barrier --> elation!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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