Can you believe it's been nearly ten years since we turned the corner into the new millennium? It seems like just yesterday!

Though life is the longest thing we will ever "do," we all know time flies and years go by quickly. As the saying goes, "time flies when you're having fun," so hopefully life has been fun and fulfilling for you too!

With the ending of one year and the beginning of another, it's always a great opportunity to take a personal inventory of ourselves and our lives. Are you doing what you love to do and utilizing your talents? Do you feel happy? Are you listening to and following your heart songs? Are you checking things off from your bucket list? In essence, is your life what you want it to be right now? And if not, why not? What's holding you back?

Though there are many "justifiable" things that can get in the way of living your life as you desire, it's easy to make those things the reasons (or the excuses) to limit yourself and your experience. Life waits for no one; it is a gift and all is possible if we believe it to be.

The New Year is here. No more excuses. Live by your heart and make 2009 your best year ever!

Lisa Brisse & the State of the Heart Staff
Note: Please check out Lisa's blog for more news & thoughts

Though it seems everyone starts out the New Year feeling fresh, motivated and ready to "tackle" those resolutions, often a few weeks or months down the road - particularly in regards to exercise and our eating habits - motivation has a tendency to wane.

So what is the "secret" to making those resolutions more than just a nice idea and making them a lifestyle that lasts, not just for this year, but for a lifetime? In all of my years in helping people to make healthy lifestyle changes, I believe there are some key things that will make those changes a natural part of your everyday life:

1.) Recognize your value and self worth. If you don't believe your health or your self is worth it, all of the mental discipline & motivation in the world isn't going to help. However, when you recognize the true value of your health and how it contributes to the quality of your life, you make a deeper connection with your self and your soul. A deeper sense of inspiration (as opposed to motivation) takes over; you see the bigger picture and recognize that in loving yourself, it becomes natural to want to take care of yourself; exercising and eating healthier still takes effort, but it comes from the innate joy of feeling good about yourself!

2.) Shift your focus and mindset. Long term goals are important for landmarks of your progress, but they can also be a deterrent if you're always thinking you have "so far to go." Keep your overall goals in mind, but stay present. Unwanted stress or helplessness comes when we think the journey is "so long." Change your mindset so that the destination is not some point down the road. Your destination is TODAY. This keeps it real and do-able!

3.) Avoid the "all or nothing" mentality. Balance and moderation is the key. Remember to take it one day at a time. If you go "all out" with your exercise or eating patterns that are too different than what you're normally used to, it won't be long before you'll run out of gas! On the other hand, if you "fall off the wagon" for a day or two, (or even a week), who cares? If TODAY is your destination, it doesn't matter what you did yesterday. Today is what counts!

4.) Become aware of the messages you tell yourself. You will experience plateaus when it's easy to feel as though you aren't moving forward. YOU ARE. Hang in there. Stay focused. Become aware of the messages you tell yourself ESPECIALLY during these times! Are they positive or negative? Consciously choose the positive! Yes it takes work but remember - you are worth it!

Think of what you'd like to achieve in this upcoming year and then ask yourself these questions to assist in making it happen.

What is the most important goal you have set in this coming year? (Maybe it's improving your health & establishing exercise as a regular part of your life, for example).

1. Identify the 2 most important personal benefits to achieving this goal.

2. What are 2 challenges that have prevented you from achieving your goal in the past? What is your action plan to address these or other challenges should you encounter them along the way?

3. Identify 2 things that will support you in achieving this goal.

4. What 2 checkpoints can you create for staying on track with your goal?

5. Identify 2 people whose support can help you.

6. What are 2 things you can do this month, this week, and today to make the steps towards achieving this goal?  Remember... you can do anything you set your mind to and focus on. Clear intention and commitment clear the way!

your new year's contract
Whenever doing a business deal, a contract is put into place to outline the parameters of the relationship and to follow through with promised commitments. The same can be done with our commitment to ourselves and our health. It's one thing to have ideas in our head, it's another thing to actually put them into writing. The act of writing something down is symbolic in that it is the first step in manifesting your ideas into a physical reality.

To assist you in your commitment to yourself, here's a sample "self" contract to get your new year started off clearly!

I am making a commitment to honor and take care of myself, making my health - body, mind, & spirit - a priority in my life.

I understand and agree to the following:
1. To make the changes necessary to keep my commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.
2. To exercise a minimum of _______ days/week.
3. To take a few minutes of quiet time for myself everyday (i.e. deep breathing, meditation, being in nature, etc.)
4. To tune into my body's needs and rest when I feel fatigued.
6. To strive to eat the healthiest and freshest foods while keeping processed foods to a minimum.
7. To keep outside stimulants (i.e. alcohol) to a minimum.
8. To maintain a positive attitude and be forgiving to myself, knowing I will experience the ups and downs, but understanding that it takes much time and patience to establish a healthy, habitual lifestyle.
9. To seek outside support to help me on this journey, but also to recognize that I am ultimately responsible for my happiness, as well as my overall health and fitness.
10. To believe that I am not only worth the effort it will require to live a healthy lifestyle, but also that I am worthy of my own self love and approval.

My Goals:

Overall Life goal:_______________________________
1 year goal: __________________________________
6 month goal: _________________________________
This month's goal:______________________________

PRINT A COPY OF THIS CONTRACT HERE.
Filling out your own copy inspires you to achieve your goals!

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