We hope that you’ve had a great time over the Christmas and are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.  Although this time of year can be hectic with the preparations for Christmas day and the social commitments to visit friends, family and other loved ones, we hope that you have an opportunity to pause and think about the year past.  What went well?  Were there difficult times?  Was there a time of celebration?  What could you have done better?

As this week draws to a close and Hogmanay approaches many of us will start to ponder what New Year Resolutions we will set ourselves.  These once a year promises are no more or less than goal setting.  Many promises of self betterment fade out after a few weeks as the old routines and habits return.  The thing is this...they are habits.  And old habits can be replace by new habits.

Make your New Year Resolutions SMART...

Specific – don’t say “I want to get fitter”.  For example say, “I want to be able to jog.”

Measureable – decide what you would consider an achievement, such as, “I’ll run a 5K race”.

Achievable – don’t be unrealistic.  Build on your goals.  Start small and set tougher and tough challenges.  However it’s probably best not to start with, “I’m going to run a marathon” as any small setbacks may completely de-rail your goal.

Relevant – make the goal personal.  Nothing motives us more than an deep seated emotional connection.  Decide to prove to your nearest and dearest that you can and will succeed in your goals.  Use pictures to motivate.  Pin up a picture of a race application next to a picture of your wife/kids, and remind yourself several times a day of the WHY.

Time scaled – pick a date and tell everyone.  Don’t be shy.  Make sure your goal is in line with the “achievable” criteria above.  Remember to plan.  The road to your goal can be broken down into mini SMART-goals as well, so that each week you can check your progress and reward yourself for achievements.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly – don’t beat yourself up over setbacks.  Things go wrong.  That’s life.  Don’t blame yourself or others, just review, adjust and move on.  So many others have said it so much better than me.

“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”
Elbert Hubbard

“Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Oliver Goldsmith

“The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions today.”

Anonymous

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to continually be afraid you will make one.”
Elbert Hubbard

We are very much looking forward to getting back to training in the New Year.  Many of the senior grades have some serious goals to plan for with the Black Belt grading planned for the middle of the year.

Make 2012 a good year.  See you at training.

By Craig Reid