Usually, New Year resolutions are made with the best of intentions. They often center around something that you would really like to achieve. Maybe it is even a resolution you have made some years in a row and never quite succeeded with?  We have a lot of explanations for ourselves why we don’t stick to what we have decided upon. And the fact is that many find it difficult to stick to a New Years resolution.

What could make a difference for you? Well, a simple, but powerfull decision could be to admit that you need help. And in return you will help somebody else.  Ask a friend to hold you accountable for what you have decided on. And in return you will hold them accountable on any resolution or decision they are strugling with carrying through.

So make that phonecall now. It could be valuable.

In his book Dan Ariely clearly demonstrates that we are making irrational decisions to a much larger extent that we would like to think. Have you ever driven across town to save a few bucks on some favourite brand commodity? And not considering that the few saved bucks are outweighed by your expenditure on gas - not mentioning the extra time you’d spent?

But is it really possible that we get outsmarted by something irrational? According to Dan Ariely the answer is yes. He is of the opinion that we are actually strangers to ourselves - unable to predict how easily our minds will veer off course.

As a coach this is very interesting. Often we work with clients who want to make decisions about something important in their lives or businesses. To avoid irrational decisionmaking - or to counter it - it is important to uncover and clarify the core values of a client.  Knowing and understanding the impact of having your core values fullfilled will help you guide through the decisions in your life. And hence have a better chance at outsmarting irrational decisions.

When much of what you know is turned upside down you may have a unique possibility to take a closer look at what really would serve your agenda. Which values do you need to honour? What is your intent and direction? Where will you devote your time, efforts, ressources and talent? What can you be committed to?

With these considerations in mind choices will be so much easier. You will know what to say YES to and what to say NO to. Both these answers may actually open up new options as well. By saying no to something - what could then be possible? And by saying yes,  what is enforced and what would be the impact?

So welcome the shift that you may be entering into - and face the new circumstances with anticipation as they may hold so much potential for you.

Working with innovative groups often involve a lot of enthusiasm, energy and drive to get something to happen - develop a new product, improve existing ones, introduce a new kind of service. As a matter of fact any group driven by enthusiasm will get a lot more accomplished than a group without. More often than not the enthusiasm originates with one person who by his/hers sheer energy and drive is able to spread a contagious excitement and energy within the group about the project in question. If YOU are receptive and open you will also get exited and inspired - and will probably be able to bring this intense feeling and energy back to your other work areas.

So look out for enthusiastic people - or become one yourself. And benefit from the amazing effect it can have on both you and others.

But maybe the real explanation is that you haven’t taken on the responsibility of becoming a leader in your own life? You are letting others - your spouse, family, work collegues set expectations and targets for you?

Only by taking on the full leadership and responsibility you’ll be able to move forward in the direction you want. And at the same time - take a good look at the reasons why you want to achieve or change something. What would it really mean to you? What would the significance be? If you can get hold of that deeper motivation you’ll probably find that your decision to take leadership for yourselves will be easier. And then comes the targetsetting and the planning.

The bookshelf gave way because it had become overloaded with books. Indeed very exiting books about coaching, management, innovation, leadership, how-to’s, writing, design and a lot more. And suddenly I made a parallel to myself. That bookshelf is very much like me and my brain: A lot of exiting stuff is already there, and I keep adding new stuff. And the result can be overwhelm. Actually I am now grateful for the collapse of the bookshelf as it made me stop and think about how much I have put into my own life at the moment. And it made me aware that I need to take some stuff ‘out’ again.

How about you? Do you recognize this? Perhaps you are also being on the verge of a mental bookshelf overload? If the answer is yes, what is there to do? One possibility could be to arrange for some time for yourself. Without the computer, mobile or any other electronic gadget we surround ourselves with. If possible go somewhere else than your office, make yourself comfortable and just sit and do nothing for a while. Clear your mind and focus only on your breathing. And then also take in the sounds around you. Enjoy and be in the moment.  Hopefully this will make you feel ready to take some decisions about what to do with the overwhelm.

P.S. - Repeat regularly - you deserve a mental pause like this.

He had always felt he could make a difference.

No, make that known. And would.

To me that two-liner says a lot. Especially about the way we sometimes talk to ourselves. How we can get stuck in thinking instead of taking action. Thinking about what we could do, the many options available to us. But do we also choose to act?

The quote gave me inspiration to take a closer look at the ‘coulds’ in my own life.  And turn some of them into ‘woulds’. I wonder if you might benefit from the same?

PS: The quote is from “The last templar” by Raymond Khoury, p. 21.

“Mythbusters” made me wonder - perhaps many of us have established myths in our lives that we hold to be true? And what would happen if we took it upon us to experiment - would our personal myths be confirmed or would they actually be busted? Are you ready to play with this?

PS - please do not hesitate to wear metal jewelry - that myth was busted!

I went out running one morning as usual. Very near my house is a beautiful area with a large lake and a forest. After 5 min. I am at the lake. I keep running. I am determined and very focused. I have my concentration on my breath, my strides and at my watch - tracking progress during the run. I have set out to run my usual distance and I am focused on improving my track-time. Will I beat it with a second or two? Or did I perhaps set out too fast? Occasionally I cast a glance at the lake. I am running along it - the lake at my left, the forest at my right. It is early morning, 7.30 a.m.

I turn at a corner - and there is the sun, quite high in the sky already. Something makes me stop running. I am panting, looking at the lake, at once noticing the multifacetted sound of different birds singing. The sun is warm, and there is a slight haze at this end of the lake. There is no wind at all. Suddenly I realise that this is indeed a speciel moment, an exceptional beautifull spring morning. It is too important not to be noticed. I become truly aware. Aware of my surroundings, the nature, myself, the here and now. I decide not to start running again, and start walking, slowly, taking in all that is around me. The things I see, hear, sense, smell.  Having left the lake and turned into the forest again I pass an old decayed oak tree. I hear a sound and stop to take a look. After a short while three young squirrels appear and start running up and down and playing in the oak tree. I watch them for a long time. Then I head back home. 

This experience gave me a powerful learning: My determined running focus prevented me from seeing and experiencing the here and now, inhibited my awareness. The letting go of my focus allowed me to be truly aware and gave me a morning that I will never forget.

Instead - try to consider the following: What would it be like if your idea actually was put into action - regardless of any fear that might stop you? What would be different for you? What could you then be able to do? This line of thought - does it motivate you to move into action? Does it motivate you enough so you’d set aside whatever personal fears YOU have? If not, well, you’re never going to find out what would happen anyway.