By Shelagh Braley, COO
You know what irks me?
How willing everyone is to believe the negative hype surrounding New Year’s resolutions, and goals in general. “Nearly 75 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail.”
Almost every reference in the media over the last 30 days has taken a tone of defeat. “The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions have died a sudden and uneventful death …” “Your resolution should be not to change …” “By now, all our New Year’s resolutions have gone down the toilet …”
Boo. Bad attitude.
No wonder we’re so reluctant to engage others in our goals. Every mention becomes a massive risk, as people couch their possibility and speak as though they’re already beaten. Who would attempt to set and share a goal, when it’s common knowledge that three-quarters of them are blown by the end of the month? Don’t we have any choice? Any strength of will? Courage to try, even in the face of obvious obstacles?
The My Life List community does.
Through the 21-Day Challenge, a crowd of nearly 100 MyLifeList.org members committed to a goal, reached out for support and achieved exactly what they set out to do. From paying down debt, to staying in better touch with important people in their lives, to establishing healthy habits, Challenge participants had incredible success! They credit their victories to the support of those who were following their progress throughout the challenge. Accountability, when coupled with unconditional encouragement, has a life-changing effect on our capabilities.
“The accountability factor actually propelled me past the comfort zone to do the simple small things … And what an incredible difference it made. 10.5 lbs in 21 days?!! I'm so amazed at that figure,” said 21-Day Challenge first-place winner Andrea. “It makes me realize that things you think aren't possible really are once you've made a decision and committed to a plan. The choices we make absolutely determine the life we lead.”
So ignore any messages that give a “why bother” impression. Recognize that kind of attitude is only a protection for those who are too afraid to try. Make your list of goals and engage the support you need, whether in your own circle or through the anonymous cheering squad of www.mylifelist.org. There is nothing sweeter than knowing you are in control of your own life, so create some momentum and shout about your success.
If we're doing our job, the 25 percent of goals that DON’T die a silent, end-of-January death will get the respect they deserve. And goal by goal, with focus and a sense of purpose, we'll change our lives.
Shelagh Braley, COO of MyLifeList.org, is an experienced entrepreneur and former journalist. She lives in Swampscott, Massachusetts.
Showing posts with label New Year's Resolutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year's Resolutions. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Don't give in to call of the Comfort Zone
By Carrie Stack, M.Ed.
Congratulations! You've joined My Life List, created your profile, and written down your incredible, inspiring, exciting goals for your life. You've shared them with your network at MyLifeList.org and you’re feeling pretty proud.
Now what?
You have done step one. You just set rock star goals. (What are rock star goals? Concrete goals that specifically identify the "how much, how many, by when" piece that so many others overlook.) For a lot of people, this can be where things go awry. Daily life happens and what they want to "become" slides back into what they have "been." The backward slip is pretty seductive. Our comfort zones call us back – desperately, zealously, relentlessly, promising Chinese takeout, beer, endless chocolate and flannel PJs if we'd only return!
So what do you do? You pull this key strategy out of your back pocket.
Most people don't know what they are motivated by, or what keeps their energy flowing to maintain focus and forward movement. Right now, let’s assess what has helped to propel you in the past.
Think of a goal you successfully reached and answer these questions:
If you want to keep going, then you need to know what KEEPS you going.
Now build that into your goals.
Look at each of your goals and figure out how you can incorporate your past patterns of success. Bottom line: You want to replicate what has worked for you in the past and use it now.
From my work as a life coach and motivator, I know that a great majority of us respond to accountability, shared connection and recognition/celebration – making MyLifeList.org an incredible source of support and energy around reaching your goals! So make sure you keep us posted on your progress. I speak for the entire My Life List community when I say, we just LOVE this stuff!
Carrie Stack, M.Ed., is a certified life coach, trainer, author and motivational speaker with more than 20 years’ experience providing people with the strategies to make positive changes in their lives. She is also the founder of the Say Yes Institute and co-founder of EO Your Life, a personal development site that helps people to live life fulfilled.
Congratulations! You've joined My Life List, created your profile, and written down your incredible, inspiring, exciting goals for your life. You've shared them with your network at MyLifeList.org and you’re feeling pretty proud.
Now what?
You have done step one. You just set rock star goals. (What are rock star goals? Concrete goals that specifically identify the "how much, how many, by when" piece that so many others overlook.) For a lot of people, this can be where things go awry. Daily life happens and what they want to "become" slides back into what they have "been." The backward slip is pretty seductive. Our comfort zones call us back – desperately, zealously, relentlessly, promising Chinese takeout, beer, endless chocolate and flannel PJs if we'd only return!
So what do you do? You pull this key strategy out of your back pocket.
Know what motivates you.
Most people don't know what they are motivated by, or what keeps their energy flowing to maintain focus and forward movement. Right now, let’s assess what has helped to propel you in the past.
Think of a goal you successfully reached and answer these questions:
- What helped you maintain momentum, energy and movement?
- Why did you push through any obstacles?
- What kept you going until you reached it?
If you want to keep going, then you need to know what KEEPS you going.
Now build that into your goals.
Look at each of your goals and figure out how you can incorporate your past patterns of success. Bottom line: You want to replicate what has worked for you in the past and use it now.
From my work as a life coach and motivator, I know that a great majority of us respond to accountability, shared connection and recognition/celebration – making MyLifeList.org an incredible source of support and energy around reaching your goals! So make sure you keep us posted on your progress. I speak for the entire My Life List community when I say, we just LOVE this stuff!
Carrie Stack, M.Ed., is a certified life coach, trainer, author and motivational speaker with more than 20 years’ experience providing people with the strategies to make positive changes in their lives. She is also the founder of the Say Yes Institute and co-founder of EO Your Life, a personal development site that helps people to live life fulfilled.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Become the Person You Want to Be
Please check out (and share) this link to a story on My Life List in Canada's Globe & Mail. Thank you to the members who were quoted!
Become the Person You Want to Be -- Canada's Globe and Mail
Become the Person You Want to Be -- Canada's Globe and Mail
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My Life List® Best of 2010
The holidays are happily under way, and here at My Life List, we are preparing for our busiest and most important time of year – New Year’s Resolution time. We’ve got more momentum than ever and we think we have a lot worth celebrating.
Which got us thinking: You’ve probably accomplished a lot this year, too, haven’t you? An exotic adventure with your best friend? A hard-earned degree? A job you love? A change in behavior that has made your life easier, healthier or more exciting?
Why don’t you share it on mylifelist.org right now? In the spirit of sharing this season, we’re going to name the best story for each category on the site (Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture, and Sports & Adventure) as My Life List® Best of 2010. They will be featured as part of some exciting upgrades on the site in January, and the writer will receive one of six $100 American Express gift cards.
The deadline for stories is December 28, with winners announced December 31. So get celebrating! Your accomplishment will inspire many, and acknowledging your progress will push you forward, too.
And don’t forget these exciting upcoming events:
The 21-Day Challenge Win cash and prizes to help you achieve your goals, Jan. 10-31
The Life Listers’ Ball Black-tie party at Seaport Hotel Boston Feb. 5
Which got us thinking: You’ve probably accomplished a lot this year, too, haven’t you? An exotic adventure with your best friend? A hard-earned degree? A job you love? A change in behavior that has made your life easier, healthier or more exciting?
Why don’t you share it on mylifelist.org right now? In the spirit of sharing this season, we’re going to name the best story for each category on the site (Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture, and Sports & Adventure) as My Life List® Best of 2010. They will be featured as part of some exciting upgrades on the site in January, and the writer will receive one of six $100 American Express gift cards.
The deadline for stories is December 28, with winners announced December 31. So get celebrating! Your accomplishment will inspire many, and acknowledging your progress will push you forward, too.
And don’t forget these exciting upcoming events:
The 21-Day Challenge Win cash and prizes to help you achieve your goals, Jan. 10-31
The Life Listers’ Ball Black-tie party at Seaport Hotel Boston Feb. 5
Friday, January 2, 2009
My Life List™ Launches www.mylifelist.org Goal Achievement Website
January 2, 2009
Los Angeles, California - My Life List LLC, a Venice, California based social networking company focused on helping people to achieve their goals, today announced the launch of www.mylifelist.org.
www.mylifelist.org is an exciting new destination on the web designed to inspire users to CREATE a Life List of things they've always wanted to do, ACT on these goals by making a plan and CELEBRATE their accomplishments by sharing stories and photos to inspire others.
My Life List™ CEO, Bill Starr, said, “Life Lists have been around for years in one form or another. They act as roadmaps for people to achieve their dreams. We've found that many people have dreams but fail to write them down. Studies show that when you write your dreams down, and engage others to support you, they become achievable goals. This is why we created www.mylifelist.org, which provides a structure, and uses the power of the latest social networking tools, to help people achieve their goals.”
The site offers inspiration through the My Life List 90 and provides the methodology necessary for users to accomplish their goals. To encourage balance the site is organized into 6 categories; Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture and Sports & Adventure.
The website experience is best summed up by a user from New York City who wrote, ‘I've never been one to keep a journal or see what is remotely interesting in Facebook... but found your site a genuinely enjoyable experience to reflect back, escape the here and now, and set your mind thinking again’.
Mr Starr added, “A key benefit of the site is that it enables users to learn how others achieve their goals. We're providing a platform for people to inspire others and to share valuable resources to achieve what they desire. It's incredible to read about peoples journeys.”
The site generates revenue through strategic partnerships and via targeted one-on-one advertising relevant to the users needs. An example of this is linking users to the best resources that match their Life List interests.
“www.mylifelist.org is an inspirational feel-good site designed to spur people into action and impact their lives in a positive way,” Mr Starr added.
For further information, please contact:
Bill Starr, CEO
My Life List™
Tel: 310-717-6953
bill@mylifelist.org
My Life List Profile
Twitter: @mylifelist
About My Life List™
My Life List™ (www.mylifelist.org) is an award winning* goal achievement website that uses a proven methodology and the power of social networking to help people achieve their goals and inspire others.
About Bill Starr
Bill Starr is an avid 'life lister' and a founding partner and CEO of My Life List LLC. Bill is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years of corporate experience with PwC and most recently with an Australian Investment Bank. Bill is originally from New Brunswick, Canada.
*My Life List was awarded a 2008 Davey Silver Medal for website design and functionality.
Los Angeles, California - My Life List LLC, a Venice, California based social networking company focused on helping people to achieve their goals, today announced the launch of www.mylifelist.org.
www.mylifelist.org is an exciting new destination on the web designed to inspire users to CREATE a Life List of things they've always wanted to do, ACT on these goals by making a plan and CELEBRATE their accomplishments by sharing stories and photos to inspire others.
My Life List™ CEO, Bill Starr, said, “Life Lists have been around for years in one form or another. They act as roadmaps for people to achieve their dreams. We've found that many people have dreams but fail to write them down. Studies show that when you write your dreams down, and engage others to support you, they become achievable goals. This is why we created www.mylifelist.org, which provides a structure, and uses the power of the latest social networking tools, to help people achieve their goals.”
The site offers inspiration through the My Life List 90 and provides the methodology necessary for users to accomplish their goals. To encourage balance the site is organized into 6 categories; Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture and Sports & Adventure.
The website experience is best summed up by a user from New York City who wrote, ‘I've never been one to keep a journal or see what is remotely interesting in Facebook... but found your site a genuinely enjoyable experience to reflect back, escape the here and now, and set your mind thinking again’.
Mr Starr added, “A key benefit of the site is that it enables users to learn how others achieve their goals. We're providing a platform for people to inspire others and to share valuable resources to achieve what they desire. It's incredible to read about peoples journeys.”
The site generates revenue through strategic partnerships and via targeted one-on-one advertising relevant to the users needs. An example of this is linking users to the best resources that match their Life List interests.
“www.mylifelist.org is an inspirational feel-good site designed to spur people into action and impact their lives in a positive way,” Mr Starr added.
For further information, please contact:
Bill Starr, CEO
My Life List™
Tel: 310-717-6953
bill@mylifelist.org
My Life List Profile
Twitter: @mylifelist
About My Life List™
My Life List™ (www.mylifelist.org) is an award winning* goal achievement website that uses a proven methodology and the power of social networking to help people achieve their goals and inspire others.
About Bill Starr
Bill Starr is an avid 'life lister' and a founding partner and CEO of My Life List LLC. Bill is a Chartered Accountant with 15 years of corporate experience with PwC and most recently with an Australian Investment Bank. Bill is originally from New Brunswick, Canada.
*My Life List was awarded a 2008 Davey Silver Medal for website design and functionality.
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