It’s a New Year…Now What’s Up With You?

I’m a cheerleader for resolutions and goals. First, to make them successful, you need to make clear why you want to achieve the goal. What is your why? Here is a personal story that I’ve never told in a speech, but maybe it will help you or someone you know who has a vice they want to stop. Barack Obama, stay with us on this one.

About two decades ago, on December 31^st, I made a resolution. It was big one. I smoked cigarettes… a habit that approximately 48.7 million people in America share. Including the President Elect. I resolved to quit on New Year’s Eve. That was it. Over. No more cigarettes in my life. Success experts tell you to write down your goals. I didn’t write it anywhere, but I told everyone close to me, “I’m quitting smoking this year!”

Why was this important to me? Was there anyone on the planet who didn’t know smoking was not a healthy habit? You don’t say! All of my friends either didn’t smoke or had wised up and quit. The Oh so cool habit of my youth suddenly became socially unacceptable. Well, about two weeks into the New Year, I picked up a cigarette. There is a little good news here. You don’t feel great about yourself when you let you down. Imagine how it felt when friends and family asked, “I thought you quit smoking, what happened?” The gratification of smoking was losing its gripe.

Yes, I read those cautionary warnings on cigarette packages just like everyone. Who really thinks they might get cancer or terminally ill from those little white sticks? Here’s a real kicker. My grandfather died of lung cancer, but rationalization works every time, doesn’t it? He was so much older and smoked for decades. You know what it’s like living in the “golden invincible” age, don’t you?

Still, that nagging feeling of failing to quit smoking refused to leave. It finally hit me. I hadn’t established my why. Okay- so it took a while for the light bulb to come on.

The conversation went something like this: ”Judy, you eat a pretty healthy diet, you wear your seat belt, exercise, hang out with smart people, you’re young, you enjoy your career and your life. What’s with the cigarettes? What will it take for your desire to stop smoking to become more powerful than your ‘want’ of that innocent looking thing that has control over you? Think about it.”

I asked myself a question: “Are you smart enough not to walk into a smoked filled room and inhale it as deeply as you can—repeatedly? How come then, if you’re so smart, that is what you basically do every time you light up and puff-puff?”

My answer: “No! I’m smarter than that.” I set another “quit smoking date” goal one month later on February 1st— almost two decades ago.

Some people say they can’t quit cold turkey. They use the patch or other methods. Whatever works for you to beat a habit that you need to break—just be sure not to be tempted to replace it with another destructive habit. For me, cold turkey was the answer. A lot of people are hoping President Elect Obama has kicked his cigarette habit…maybe it’s his New Year’s Resolution!

Gold Star Action Tips:

Establish your why. What’s in it for you to stop smoking, stay on a diet, make more money or whatever your goal?

Visualize your new slimmer self wearing your dream size. How would your life change if you were debt free this year? What if you really said good-bye to that thorn- in-your side habit? Imagine how good you will feel about you when you make your goal a reality.

Drop old routines that keep you hooked. When I first quit smoking, after dinner coffee was the first to go. The association between coffee and smoking was too strong to risk it. Okay, I still enjoy a decaf cap—sans cig. What routines could you give up to kick the habit? For instance, if you know you’re too tired, or you can’t make the time to exercise at night, take walks on your lunch hour. Making a date with an exercise buddy can help you keep your commitment.

Write down your goal(s) and keep it visually posted on your computer, mirror or wherever you will not only see it, but read it.

Tell everyone your goal. It will help keep you accountable. And besides, you will also gain a lot of cheerleaders who want you to succeed!

Ask yourself two key questions: First, what is at the core of preventing you from reaching your goals or keeping your resolutions to yourself in the past? Two, is the reward greater than the destruction or stress in your life if you don’t keep your resolution? If you answer “yes” to this one, you’re on your way. Remember, we are wired to want to improve! Here’s to you and your 2009 year! You can make it great!

Stay tuned!

Judyth

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