The first of the year inspires us to reach toward our hopes and dreams. Where will we be a year from now - what will be accomplished, what will have changed, how satisfied will we be that we have lived as we want to?
Idealism provides motivation. It is a great asset, a source of energy for day-to-day activities. Healthy idealists can let go and shift focus when outcomes differ from expectations, finding other ways to move forward.
A strategy I use to maintain idealism and motivation is to make little, ongoing choices that add up to better life balance. Our mindsets are held in place by our habits of thought and expression. When we consciously adjust our "syntax" we are applying our personal power to move toward our more idealistic worldview.
Today I caught myself writing an email reply that answered more than was asked. I didn't need to volunteer more information. One word would do the job. Making similar choices this year will save me time and extraneous stress.
It was an adjustment in my personal "anticipate and solve every problem" syntax.
When my coaching clients try out a slight change and hear the difference, such as changing "but" to "and," or practicing a gracious way to say no to a request, the positive results offer immediate reinforcement.
We can keep depositing credits into our "change the world": account, sometimes with little noticeable effect, sometimes turning a whole negative situation into a positive one.
I'll still set audacious goals and aim for new frontiers of improving communication on a larger scale. When I can see, hear, and feel results today, I am motivated to stay on course.
As you head toward your goals and ideals for 2011, what communication practices do you want to embed in your personal syntax? What specific action can you take today to move forward on that path?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
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