History of New Years Resolutions - Where Did New Years Resolutions Come From?

Where Did New Years Resolutions Come From?

On the 1st of January, millions of people around the globe start working on New Years resolutions. Chances are you have tried them yourself in one way or another. They are one of the fun things about the New Year. But have you ever wondered where they came from?

Who first started setting New Years Resolutions?

Well, here is a brief history of the origins of the New Years resolution for you:

The Babylonians

The first recorded New Years resolutions were made by the Babylonians around 4000 years ago. Most commonly, it revolved around returning any borrowed farm equipment, as their New Year coincided with the start of their farming season.

The Romans

Not long after, the Romans would start the new year by counting the stock of the previous year and setting a goal to accomplish more in the coming year.

It was not just western countries that set resolutions either.

The Chinese

The Chinese set a special New Years resolution - house cleaning. Most people nowadays would relate this to Spring-Cleaning. At the coming of the New Year, the Chinese would clean their house from top to bottom. What a great way to start the year, with a beautiful clean house!

The Modern World

Today we still set New Years resolutions, and try to achieve them. They are almost always based around self-improvement resolutions and goals. They are a way to mark the beginning of changes in our habits and lifestyle. The most common resolutions include losing weight, quitting smoking and/or drinking, and improving your finances.

As mentioned earlier, millions of people make these resolutions but unfortunately only 10% ever manage to achieve them. It is a sad fact, but many of these resolutions do not even last longer than a few weeks. By July, most have been completely forgotten and no real progress against the resolution has been made.

It is amazing what such a long history the New Years resolution has had. You may be thinking of creating on yourself this coming New Year. And why not? It is a tradition practiced around the entire globe. Above all though, we should remember that the most important aspect of a New Years resolution is to take action and stick to it.

Now that you know the History of New Years Resolutions it's time to grab some free information on how to plan and set your New Years resolution in order to maximize your chances of achieving it, be sure to visit:

New Years Resolutions Help

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/890518

The Goal Setting Blueprint

Why is goal setting important?

Because without goals you don't go anywhere!

Whenever you see anything worthwhile being done anywhere, it's because someone is behind it with a passion, a belief and a goal!

When it comes to your personal life and your business, goal setting can make the difference between mediocrity and excellence and accomplishment.

Much is said about goal setting.

But just how do you set and accomplish goals?

Is there some goal setting formula or strategy that can be employed to increase your chances of success?

Thankfully, YES!

What follows is a blueprint for success in goal setting.

The Goal Setting Blueprint

STEP 1. Develop a DESIRE to achieve the goal. The desire must be intense. How do you intensify desire? Sit down and write out all the benefits and advantages of achieving your goal. Once the list goes between 50 and 100 your goal becomes unstoppable.

STEP 2. WRITE your goal down. Once it goes into writing it becomes substantial and starts etching itself into your subconscious.

STEP 3. IDENTIFY 1) the obstacles you will need to overcome, 2) the help you will need to acquire, e.g. knowledge, people, organizations. In each case write them out in a clear list and analyze them.

STEP 4. DEADLINE your goal. Analyze where you are now in relation to the goal and then measure how long you will reasonably need to complete the goal. Then set the latest outside date.

STEP 5. Take all the details of steps 3 and 4 and make a PLAN. List all the activities and prioritize them. Rewrite the list, optimize it, perfect it.

STEP 6. Get a clear MENTAL PICTURE of the goal already accomplished. Make the mental image crystal clear, vivid in the mind's eye. Play that picture over and over in your mind.

STEP 7. Back your plan with PERSISTENCE and resolve. Never, never, never give up even when you hit setbacks.

Follow those steps religiously and you will be successful at goal setting.

DANGER - You can read this and think, "That sounds interesting. I must try that sometime".

Notice the title of this article - "Goal Setting: The Blueprint".

What is a blueprint?

It can refer to a negative used in photography for architectural plans, maps or mechanical drawings. It can also mean a detailed plan or program of action.

SO - Take these 7 steps and rewrite them on a card or in a notebook for frequent reference. Keep them on your computer in a note on your desktop.

Use the 7 steps as a BLUEPRINT. Keep checking your goal against the 7 steps frequently to measure your progress and keep yourself on track.

Then and only then will this article make a difference to your personal and business life.

The Question

Now the question is, what goal are you going to set today?

What goal can you set for your business which is going to lift it to new levels?

What goal setting are you going to implement in your personal life which is going to have a positive effect on you and your loved ones?

Take some time now and THINK about it!

Then? JUST DO IT!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4964

Manifest Success

Congratulations to those of you who understand the value of setting goals and creating action plans and timetables to inspire and guide you as you work to put your plans in motion. Note to self--- recognize that in addition to working hard, you must also create conditions in your life that promote and nurture success.

The most successful among us eventually develop what some call "enlightened self-interest" that encourages us to acknowledge our priorities and maintain boundaries in our personal and professional spheres. Some in your circle may become indignant when forced to honor your boundaries, but you'll come to know who your friends are and who are not. Consider the process a character development and leadership lesson.

I. Just say no

If you prefer not to make a certain commitment, then respectfully decline. Perhaps you already have many irons in the fire and your schedule is filled. Maybe you'd rather take it easy for a while, to rest and refresh your energy reserves.

If the timing is wrong or if something you're asked to do doesn't feel right, you are not obligated to participate. Those who have vowed to sweet-talk (or arm-twist) you into such an arrangement may become upset, but do not be swayed by those who would resort to manipulation or even bullying. You are in the driver's seat of your life.

II. Define boundaries

Everyone likes to be liked. We feel good when we help others and make them happy. But the price of acceptance will never hinge upon the "right" of others to control your life. If you feel pressured by certain individuals, recognize that feeling as a sign that your boundaries are being violated.

Someone is attempting to "cross a line" and does not know his/her place, or role, even if that individual is a parent or sibling. No one has a "right" to violate boundaries. Politely but firmly push back and do not allow yourself to be bullied. If the violator persists, well, now you know who loves and respects you and who doesn't. Assess how you can limit, or cease, your interactions with such people.

III. Ask for it

What do you want? The sale? The assignment? Your team to work at 110% capacity? If you want it, then ask for it!

You must also be prepared to earn it, to demonstrate that you deserve the reward. If you expect your team to work at 110%, then you must work at least that hard, or more so. If you want the sale or the contract, then show the client why you deserve it and how hard you'll work to earn it and then fulfill or exceed all expectations when it is awarded to you.

IV. Release the negative

Mistakes are made and bad things sometimes happen. As a result, you may feel hurt or resentful. If you feel the need to go there, give yourself permission to wallow in those feelings for a while, because you are human. However, you cannot allow yourself to remain stuck in the quicksand of negative feelings. At some point you must take a deep breath and let it go, as you step forward toward your vision of a successful future. You have goals and an action plan to help you reach them. Let that propel you out of the muck of resentment. Success is the best revenge.

V. Walk, don't run

OK, you're on a roll, you have plans and a timetable, you want to get things done. You may not feel that patience is a virtue and explaining things twice to your team members or other supporters could seem like an aggravation. Before you travel too far down that road, stop; breathe. Look at the big picture.

Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure. Avoid cutting corners. Do not get slap-dash. Make sure that your execution is accurate and that you are moving in a direction that will bring about the desired outcomes. Invest some time to get the buy-in of key stakeholders. You will be successful if you allow success to happen!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9710562