Hi Friends,
After publishing yesterday's blog post, I've received quite a number of New Year Resolution commitments from my dear readers…
Some of you want to lose weight. Some of you want to take your hobbies to the next level. Some of you want to become better people. Some of you want to develop new good habits.
I've gone through all of your commitments, and I know that each and every one of them is 100% possible - as long as you believe in yourself as much as I believe in you.
Now before we go even one step further, let me make this very clear:
I take these commitments very seriously, and I expect you to do no less than take massive action towards your resolutions. And since we have both made a commitment, we're now in this together.
Remember the 3 Enemies of New Year Resolutions I talked about yesterday?
We've already dealt with the first, which was the commitment.
Today, we're going to deal with the second enemy:
2. You don't know where to start
Knowing where to start may seem daunting at first. Let me give you an example.
Weight loss is a very popular New Year Resolution, so let's use that as a case study.
Let's say you want to lose 30 pounds in 2010. You know more or less how to get there - you're going to have to lose weight, exercise more, and change your eating habits.
But the fact is, none of this can happen overnight. You're not going to lose 30 pounds in a week, a month, or even 2 months. Trying to do so wouldn't just be unrealistic - it may even be unhealthy!
And what happens if you try to do it anyway? You get demotivated. You begin to think your goal is unrealistic. You lose hope, and slowly but surely move back to your comfort zone.
Instead, you should start by making small and gradual lifestyle changes. The idea here is to move towards your goal in a sustainable manner, so you remain motivated, and don't get scared by how big and scary your goal may be.
How do you do this? You break down your one big resolution down into a collection of mini resolutions that give you small but constant reminders that you're moving towards your goal.
So if you want to lose 30 pounds, you could start in January by cutting out snacks like potato chips, and making sure you take a brisk walk at least once a week.
Once you've spent a month or two getting used to this routine, you could sign up at your local gym.
After that, you could commit to exercising at least 3 times a week. You could buy yourself a bicycle and take up long distance biking. Maybe even take up martial arts, or yoga.
…And because you committed to a set gradual yet consistent steps, you'll suddenly realize you've lost that 30 pounds without ever having to stress about it!
My key message to you here is, big changes don't happen overnight - they happen through small but consistent steps that add up over time to give you the results you want.
This doesn't just apply to losing weight, it applies to anything you want to achieve in life.
Now, let's apply this concept to your resolutions.
Take the resolutions you committed to yesterday, and break them down into daily, weekly and monthly goals. You can choose your own pace, as long as you're confident that you can reach your goal by Dec 31st 2010.
Next, turn these mini goals into affirmations. For example, if you're committing to take a brisk walk at least once a week, write it down like this:
"I will take at least 1 brisk walk a week until December 31st 2010"
This makes your big goal seem more manageable, doesn't it?
The good news is, daily, weekly and monthly goals only get easier the longer you stay committed to them - which means after a while, you'll actually be looking forward to those weekly walks!
Tomorrow, we're going to confront the third and final Enemy of New Year Resolutions. Stay tuned 
Sincerely,
Burt
My name is Burt Goldman. I’m one of those “lucky people” who discovered a secret early in life. For the last 50 years, I have been traveling the world and meeting and studying spiritual masters from every inch of our planet. Now, at the age of 82, I'm ready to share with the world what I have learned. I started this blog to be able to share with you my most valuable teachings and insights I have gained over the past few decades. Here, you'll find plenty of valuable information on meditation, energy healing, spirituality, and my latest revelation, Quantum Jumping. I look forward to connecting with you and I sincerely hope you enjoy being a part of this blog.
Dear Burt, I'm going to try this exercise,good idea, thanks for your advice. Never thought of it. I need to lose 50 pounds. I'm cutting back the snacks will be trying so hard to eat more vegies,fruits which I find very hard to do, so used to the fatten junk.
Love you always, take good care, God bless you!
Dear Burt,
I love you! I look forward to reviewing your messages and your Dear Burt sessions over and over again every evening.
I have been doing the water energization and many minor problems have disappeared from my life. Now I run to pour a glass of water anytime I encounter a difficulty. Thank you.
Please keep teaching us.
Hi Burt,
I am wondering about my comments which I cannot find it after I posted.
Was it for private use only?
Thanks a lot Burt.
adelaida
Hello Burt,
Many thanks for your many very useful tips/advise. Yes, I normally cannot give a one hundred commitment but I am going back into it. I am talking of the simple exercise I set for myself.
The desire is always there but, the time element is the issue that I cannot do it consistently, except my
meditation.
Thanks for your deep commitment to remind us all and your desire for the best for all whom you love even just from a distant but virtually being in communion.
Have a wonderful Week end Burt.
adelaida
Thank You Burt! My daughter and I decided to do the 30 day challenge on Wii. You are absolutely right about taking it one step at a time. Having a buddy to exercise with helps too. We decided to look at the weeks schedule and jot down when we should meet to workout. It has been working out great so far.
One step at a time and in the moment of that time will create good habits. Moving in the right direction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Burtt
Greetings
I am sincerely reading you and found a helpful advices from you.When ever you come to my country India please visit my place also.I want to meet you personally.
With regards
Ravena
burt call me like to do a show 831-435-3179
http://www.unradio.info
I don't seem to be able to get into meditation the way that I would like to.I want to be more enlightned.
Thanks this is uplifting. I don't need to diet now, lost a lot of weight 3 years ago after a bout of Vertigo. My focus now is keeping off the weight and eating healthfully. I will encourage anyone the to never give up on the commitment to lower their weight. You feel so much better, enjoy shopping for clothes and have so much more energy and this transfers into your daily attitudes about life. You are happier and under control of what you eat and how your exercise to keep your heart healthy as well. Stay well, love reading your posts. Pat Hudak
Hi Burt - You are right and this blog is part of the synchronicity in my life!
Just yesterday while helping a friend, we talked about how to tackle her goal and I said "small steps. One thing at a time and you'll be done before you know it."
Then she found a fortune cookie that said the same thing! And, today, my horoscope said. "Don't be impatient. Taking lots of little steps works better now than one giant leap."
I love when stuff like this happens - I must be on the right road at last.
All my best,
Marilyn
MY resolutions:
Continue losing weight by changing eat habits - at least 20# by the years end.
Set up my website and get visitors - this week!
Make money from an online business.
Go bankrupt or win lots of money - whichever comes first.
Find Mr. Right!
That should keep me busy.
Such timely advice to me again, Burt. I have been experiencing the challenge of staying with something long enough to see it through. I now am feeling like I'm beginning to know more and more what I want and choose to work toward. I want to go back to school this year, among other things I have already been committed to.
dear burt.......which i miss on friday!! my resolution faor this year ..which means to me GOALS..an my goals everyday start with saying my prayers to always let the creator of this world know that i always want to look up to him [universe] with gratitued an apprection for my life an for those that enter my road to give me more knowledge of love an wisdom as to how to take care of this body...well you've been on my road for 2years? an your still here everyday to help me not to give up...programming takes time for response..an you've taught me to FOCUS A PICTURE..which in time the PICTURE becomes reality...so my goal is to BELIVE that what i WANT for josi to have GROWTH ABUNDANTLY IN MY SPIRIT..HEART ..AN MIND...THANKS TO YOU AN THE UNIVERSE BURT...JOSI****
Dear Burt, I have promised myself I will walk 2 miles everyday down our hill and back up...I have promised myself I will not eat junk food...I have promised myself I will eat healthy foods including fruits and vegetables in the proper purportions...I hope to lose 40 pounds this year! Sincerely, Carolyn
Burt, you are amazing !!! You inspire me and others every single day! Thanks for all you do!!!!!
Dear Burt,I have found the best tool to help anyones health I have ever seen. It is called the wand, it delivers zero point energy field through this wand. You can energize water, food, and it seems like the body will center itself to a field of homeostasis, it negates negaitve energy fields. The body looks great from kirlian photos of before and after. Above is my website. This is fantastic for those who are unable to feel energy, but need physical tools to help them achieve a better sense of health. Please feel free to go to my website. This will be a blessing for so many people. Thank you for all of your blogs, and I love all of the hints of Quantum Jumping. This wand is quantum energy realized. Blessings Linda
i have a question for burt.
i am still healing threw my own self help, where i have been inspired and aware of the qualitys that i posses, but didnt know before whilst following people like yourself.
Question:
I would like to take up career paths in various healing therapys, and yoga trainging where do i start trying to define what therapys to start with and at what level
Im tired of getting nervous when I talk to people that makes me depressed and then I get more depressed what should I do. I can't focus on what there saying because all I keep thinking about is do I look nervous.
Well here we GO!!!!!
1. NO SNACKS ( especially at night) and a Walk in the morning( first day is on)
2. Checking on line about air brushes for my face painting
Since I have a few more resolutions i feel that starting a little slow and working up to all that I need to accomplish is the best yellow brick road to follow
My mantra
MY life is full of energy, my life is full of creativity , 2010 meets my goals.
I'm on the road Burt, i'm depending on you to keep me from taking wrong turns.
SEEING IS BELIEVING < BELIEVING IS TRUSTING, TRUSTING IS FULFILLING
Thank yoou for being here Burt
Pamellapure
I don't make new year resolutions because of the very fact that I don't commit to any of them like you said maybe for a few days and then back to the same comfortable routine, so it is best to not make new year resolutions because I know myself, You are about the only commitment i make, I read what you have to say and practice the advice that to me makes better sense , maybe because I am lazy. love ya burt
I intend to leave a very unhappy, hostile relationship. It has produced two wonderful children, both of whom are now adults. I have been avoiding making the decision to start legal proceedings. This time I have started, I intend to continue with faith in a better future.
Dear Burt,
Thank you for sharing so much knowledge with us! I always look forward to learning from you. Now I have one question. I've been trying to find a good way of healing dental problems such as cavities and gum diseases. Is there any particular method(s) you would recommend to cure/heal dental issues?
Regards!
JL
Good advice Burt. It is important for us to give ourselves time to accomplish the major goals. Staying committed is the hard part. I can see where setting up, and achieving, mini goals may be a good way to get positive reinforcement making the big goal easier to achieve. Thanks again!
Hi Burt. you chose my goal to comment on. Great advice. My problem is stress eating. my stress is real. help
Dear Burt
You are right Burt.
I would not declare long term commitments if I would not be able perform them. If you stop it, from some reason it will make you weak. It will bring guilt and disappointment then will stop to build up your strength and happiness. This is the way to stagnation and lower yourself. Burt is right it is better to declare short term resolutions.
Live daily. Be present in the moment. Enjoy the moment. Happiness in the moment build your future.
Eugenia
Hi Burt,
my new year resolution is trying to be more patience, I do get hyperactive and talk loud when I am angry,PLEASE GIVE ME SOME CLUES HOW TO CONTROL MY TEMPER jOAN
dear how are you paying cash to the account i gave you all to establish my bussiness head office in nigeria is my questions and if realy their is throught and reality in europe and american not cheatings of black nations or black hair when great on line for i never belive all based on many reasons o for see in out side them for decades in sporituality and are you with them or you follow want to hurt me on streaming systerms and potencials and talents with others why are they delaying in building my request in my city home town
Very practical approach. Thank you I will apply this to some other exercise, as i need not have reduce my weight
Hi Burt,
I have 3 questions for your next edition of Dear Burt
Do you use supplements ?
Do you exercise every day ?
Do you use DHEA ?
Regards,
PAtrick
That's fantastic advice! Only one thing, though: in my experience, it works better if you affirm "I take at least 1 brisk walk a week...", in the present tense. Good luck to all with your resolutions!