Thoughtful Tuesday: Taking Risks

As the new year ushers in, what risks are you thinking about taking to be a better you? Are you going to try a new fitness regiment? Or maybe meet some new people? Possibly go to some new places...travel even? When we think about our New Year's Resolutions and where we hope to be this time next year, we must think about the risks that are involved in ensuring that our goals are met. Now I know when you think about risks, you think mostly of the negative. The what if? We are so caught up in our fears that we forget about the risks that are involved if we DON'T accomplish our goals.

But instead of asking ourselves, "what if this doesn't happen? or what if I am unable to accomplish it?" think of "what you would do if you knew you couldn't fail?"

"What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?"

What would you do? It is the confidence we give ourselves in THAT question that allows us to meet our goals with minimal fears. It is through asking ourselves that question that we can not only realize our dreams, but also make our dreams bigger.

As you go into the new year, thinking about your resolutions and goals, don't spend time contemplating the negative risks, think about the positives risks as well. Think about your sense of accomplishment. Ask yourself "What would you do, if you couldn't fail?"

9 of 18 tricks to make new habits stick via Lifehack

If you read yesterday's Motivational Monday Post, then you know that it takes approximately 21 days to form a new habit. You also know, that I think instead of waiting until the new year comes in to start your resolutions, you should start your resolutions now so that they become habits before New Years'. I'm sure you're wondering to yourself, "Okay, I know what (good) habit I want to start, but I need some help on getting started or staying motivated."

I read this really good article from Lifehack that provides some really good tips on sticking to your new habits. Some of those tips included:

• Start simple. Don't try to completely change your life in one day...
• Get a buddy. They'll keep you accountable and motivated. PLUS, you can swap tidbits and advice with them.
• Be Imperfect. Try your best, but expect a few bumps along the way.
• Use "but" to turn negative thoughts into positive and motivating ones. Example: I just can't give up this [insert bad habit here], but I know in the end I will be the better for it.
• Remove temptation. No explanation necessary.
• Write it down. Writing makes your ideas more clear and causes you to focus on the end result.
• Stay Consistent. Consistency saves...Complacency kills.
• Spend time with role models. Spend more time with the people whose habits you want to mirror.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: Do it for yourself.

And if you still need a good kick in the bottom, here is the complete list of 18 tricks to make new habits stick (via Lifehack)

Motivational Monday: On Forming Habits

The holidays are coming up and although we are thinking about spending time with family we haven't seen all year, we also find ourselves thinking about the new year that is literally right around the corner. With the thought of the new year and all of its surprises we have yet to experience, the one thing that is constantly on everyone's mind are their New Years' Resolutions.

Every year, we find ourselves making promises to form habits that we hope will make us better, richer, wiser, healthier. We wait until the holiday feasting is over, the presents are opened, and the fun is out before we decide to take our resolutions and try our best to transform them into our new daily habits. But my question is "WHY?" Why would you wait until January 1st to try to formulate a habit just to leave it out in the cold not even two weeks down the line? And then when the Spring and Summer come we curse ourselves for not sticking to our New Years' Resolution JUST to start the cycle all over again come the new holiday season! STOP IT!

Stop waiting until the new year rushes in to form a habit. Why not form a habit starting in December or even after Thanksgiving so that when January 1st rolls around, not only can you stick to your new New Years' Resolution but it's a habit that you can't see yourself break. It's common knowledge that it takes about 21-28 days to form a habit, but that truly depends on what habit you are forming and the type of person you are. It depends on your determination and willingness to maintain the ultimate goal or purpose that you are trying to pursue.

I know several life coaches and fitness gurus started the 30 day challenges and invited others to join in at the start of December, but like I said it takes aproximately 21 days to form a habit. So I challenge you, if you have a long list of resolutions that you hope to turn into life changing habits, START TODAY! As of this post there are approximately 20 days until the new year comes in.

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
       - Jim Ryun

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What will 2011 bring?

As the new year quickly approaches (T-minus 12 hours as of this post), more and more people are trying to decide what their New Year's resolutions are going to be and are making predictions on what they think is going to happen. But as I sit back and watch them make these predictions for themselves, others, and the world, I have to sit and think to myself what that means.

A prediction implies something that you think is going to happen. You may not be sure if it will, but there is something that is telling you that there is a likely chance that it could happen. And the funny thing is, even though we make predictions about things to have yet happened, there is a little voice inside of us that raises doubt so that if it doesn't happen we were right either way.

The Law of Attraction tells us what we put out into the universe manifests itself to us. So even though you predict good things to happen, your negative thoughts about them will cause them to not happen. So yes, you will be right either way.

This year instead of making a resolution or prediction. I've decided I'm going to put into action my premonitions. In short, a premonition is a vision of the future, a forewarning for events to come.

The definitions give it an almost negative tone, however, you can be forewarned about an event that is positive. And thus, that is how I chose to take it.

I've had visions for what will happen personally, professionally, and realistically in 2011 and with that warning I'm going to do my best to ensure that they are all met.

Realistic Premonitions for 2011

• With the influx of new entrepreneurs and new self-made millionaires both the job market and economy is going to rise higher than it was this year


• Sarah Palin will rise up like she never has before to prepare for the 2012 elections (not particularly happy about that)


• Facebook will become a publicly shared company.

Professional Premonitions for 2011

• People will again see the value in hiring an event planner, coordinator, manager


• The influence of fashion on the event industry will become more prevalent, ie color schemes, moods, production, presentation, etc.


• Preston Bailey's online school of event design will be offered as a course at either SCAD or NYU (preferably SCAD)

Personal Premonitions for 2011

• My relationship with my boyfriance will go to the next level


• SOA Event Concepts will further continue to progress.


• I will challenge myself more intellectually, professionally, spiritually, and personally

Will all these things take place (especially the realistic ones)? NO. But do I expect for at the least the personal ones to happen? Absolutely! I plan on going into the new year KNOWING that this time next year all my goals will be accomplished and the new ones will begin to take shape.

What will 2011 bring? What are your realistic, professional, and personal premonitions

The Unemployed [but Empowered] Entrepreneur