Make Yourself Proud

It is easy to make excuses when you fail – you can blame it on the economy, or your genes, or your upbringing. But the bottom line is that you are in charge of you. You know from personal experience - it’s extremely rare that things go exactly as planned. What differentiates ...It is easy to make excuses when you fail – you can blame it on the economy, or your genes, or your upbringing. But the bottom line is that you are in charge of you. You know from personal experience - it’s extremely rare that things go exactly as planned. What differentiates those who succeed from those who fail is what they do when this happens. Successful people know that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. They also know that success is built from taking small actions every day, keeping a positive attitude, believing it is possible, and enjoying the journey. If you are struggling to reach your goals – whether you want to lose weight and get fit, grow a business or career, or build a great relationship – the same rules apply: 1. Clearly define your goal. Write it down. rn2. Close your eyes and imagine what it will be like to already have your goal. Bring it to life by noticing what you see and hear and feel. Imagine the benefits you will have from achieving this goal. Feel the positive feelings of success. Make it real. Take a moment to focus on this at least once a day.rn3. Create a plan of action. Write it down. Focus on what you want, not what you want to get rid of. Be realistic about what it’s going to take. Make the steps small enough that they seem manageable. Implement your plan.rn4. Break the habit of debating in your mind or making excuses. Instead, take action, and then notice how great it feels to get it done.rn5. Create a habit of noticing what is going well, feeling proud of yourself for it, and then asking yourself what you are going to work on next.rn6. Correct as you go. You may need to alter your plan or break it down into smaller steps. Remember that there is no failure, only feedback.rn7. Look for role models of people who are successful in reaching their goals, and adopt their good habits.rn8. Get some outside feedback. Whether it is a trusted friend or family member, a colleague, or a professional coach, it is invaluable to have a source of external feedback to show you your blind spots and hold you accountable. rn9. Have a sense of humour and make it fun! In my hypnosis practice, I have seen many hundreds of people move past their perceived limitations to reach their goals. With honest feedback and support, practical strategies, and perseverance, they succeed. And once they see what they are really capable of, there is no turning back. Remember, who you are is a result of what you do over and over again. Make it great!