By Lisa 
The new year starts off so hopeful. We all see January 1 as a fresh start-a way to get promoted, lose weight, become a better person, etc. etc. etc.
The first week is pretty good. Hit the gym five days in a row, showed up at work 30 minutes early every day and didn’t look at Facebook even once during the workday.
The second week the weather turned colder, and putting on those new workout clothes seemed like asking for the flu. You skipped one day, then two at the gym, and hit the snooze button a couple of mornings. You were even late to work one day. And you did peek at Facebook, but just for a minute (or two, well, OK an hour or so).
The third week brings what is traditionally called the worst week of the year: the day the holiday credit card bills come in. Then you remember how many resolutions you made last year, and how many you failed to complete.
Resolutions broken along with your bank account. Bummer.
How can you get your optimistic mojo back?
- Make your resolutions more realistic: head to the gym 3 times a week instead of every day. Get to work 10 minutes early, not 30. Check Facebook once during lunch and set a timer.
- Celebrate your successes, however small. Realize one or two slips do not mean you have failed. Persistence is what will ensure success not perfection.
Add one more resolution: to be more positive and have more fun! Life is meant to be enjoyed and everyone, no matter what their situation, can find something to be grateful for and something to look forward to this year.
How? Anytime you start to feel down, take control of those thoughts and focus on what is good in your life. Remind yourself that just because you have a feeling doesn’t mean you have to give into it. Take the control back. Pray, list what you are thankful for, and allow yourself to dream of great things happening this year. Create a success jar. Add slips of paper throughout the year of what you have achieved. Anytime you feel down, look through a couple of these successes. It can be as simple as ‘went to the gym three times’ or as big as ‘got that promotion at work’.
Your thoughts control your actions and your actions create your life. Make this year your best one ever!