Life as we know it could do with some improvement, and it will happen. It always does! Improvement of any kind, however, starts with us, and a great place to begin is with some emotional housework!  Here are some things you can do to REALLY start the year with a clean slate! 

Excuses:

We all make them.  In life, we either enjoy success, or we make excuses, and it’s amazing how creative one can be when finding an excuse NOT to do something!  For one week, pay attention to how many excuses you make and often you make them.  Then, start to dispute them.  Ask yourself, “Is this really true, or is it just convenient for me to believe?”

Limitations:

Most of our limitations are self-imposed.  Whenever you notice that you are imposing a limitation on yourself, ask, “What would I be able to do without this limitation?”  Then start heading in that direction.

I cant’s:

If you believe you can’t then you can’t. If you believe you can, you just might make it.  Don’t focus on what you can’t do, focus on what you can!

Entitlement:

Our culture has taught us that we deserve all good things just by breathing.  That’s just not the real world.  We are promised only the pursuit of happiness, not happiness itself.  It’s up to us to have the guts and determination for the pursuit.  If you want something, make very sure that you are doing all the necessary things to get there.  No excuses allowed!

Clutter:

This one will sound more like the typical householders tip.  Clutter and excess stuff lying around is a major source of stress and actually holds us back in life.  We have to move around it and through it, and it stays on our minds on the list called “Things-I-really-ought-to-do-someday-but-know-I-never-will”.  If you have not used something in the past year, and it’s not essential or has no sentimental value, then give it away, sell it or throw it out!

Procrastination:

As each year draws to a close, many of us tend to procrastinate more and more.  We tell ourselves that we’ll think about that idea after Christmas, or we’ll start negotiations in the New Year.  We make resolutions we seldom keep, or start the year with a flurry of well-intended tasks meant to improve ourselves, our businesses or our lives in general.  “I’ll do it later” has to be the biggest con job we can run on ourselves.  Procrastination fosters the belief in “someday” which never comes because it just isn’t on the calendar.  The next time you are tempted to procrastinate, simply put it off. Procrastinate about procrastinating.  Do it now, procrastinate later!

Rationalisations:

While excuses prevent us from accomplishing the things we know we need to do, rationalisations allow us to do the things we know we should not do.  Another way to spell the work rationalise is “rational lies”.  Tell yourself the truth.  There is never a good rationalisation for doing something you know is wrong.

Convenience:

The desire to get things done quickly and conveniently can be a good thing.  However, when this takes the place of effectiveness, watch out!  This happens often with parents and children – we can do things quicker and better, but what are they learning?  Don’t sacrifice effectiveness for convenience.  Slow down enough to do a job well or to show someone else how to do the job well.

So take up the challenge and get a clean slate!  Dusting those emotional cobwebs away will be well worth the effort!