How many times in your life have you committed to making a New Year’s Resolution? How far into the new year until you stopped?

Every year, we try to capture the magic and excitement of the holidays by creating well-meaning goals for the upcoming new year. We commit to major changes or pile on the “I should” type of resolutions.

I always had the best of intentions. I’d make a couple resolutions (lose 20 pounds, stop procrastinating). I’d even make them SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). However, over time, the resolutions fell by the wayside.

This year, I recommend that you tap into your inner two year old, and just say “no” to resolutions!

It wasn’t that I lacked will power or motivation. From the beginning, I set myself up for failure! My mindset wasn’t in alignment with the goals.

I told myself what I should and shouldn’t do. Therefore, my inner critic was ready to cheer me on each time I failed. I’d blame myself (or make an excuse) for not following through.

I kept up this annual negative pattern until I said “yes” to creating (and doing) how I wanted to show up in this world. What a powerful shift in my mindset and intentions! I directed my energy, attention, and time to something much more meaningful. I tapped into my own gifts, skills, and knowledge; and it was easier asking for support.

The first step is to think of the type of person that embodies what you want to be like (instead of losing 30 lbs you want to be active and lead a healthy lifestyle). What would that person be doing to be active, healthy, and happy that you like and want to do? Now with the overall vision of what (or who) you want to create; keep asking details about what it would look like, feel, like, be like, and act like what you want to create or be in this world.

Next, what is one small action you can take now toward that lifestyle (given your life today)? Followed by asking, what can I commit to doing just for today (JTF)? By focusing your energy, skills, knowledge, and creativity on what you will commit to just for that day, you are focusing on small consistent steps; and taking forward action. Over time, those JTFs add up to big successes and transformations! Jason Goldberg illustrated JFT in his book, Prison Break, when he explained he didn’t loose 130 pounds; he lost 1 pound, 130 times.

Failing forward is also an integral part of learning and growing. Our path forward won’t be a straight line. We will take steps forward and back. But that is ok. Were we bad when we learned to walk and fell down? No, we got back up, tried again, and kept going.

Enjoy the process and remember to recommit to a small action JFT towards what do you want to create. You will be continually taking action and moving towards your vision.

Lastly, focus on celebrating the small wins, lessons learned, and consistent steps. You’ll reinforce the positive perspective and want to do more of it.

Creating daily consistent small actions are easier and more effective than outcome focused resolutions. When you focus on the process, you will see results.

What do you want to create in your life, and how do you want to show up, in 2021?