For many of us, the start of a New Year is a time to focus on improving ourselves. We work on becoming more of the kind of person we really want to be. I’m a big fan of that tradition. That’s the focus of this blog – becoming your True Self by developing a better you – so I hope this space will help you on your way all year long.
That said, standard New Year’s resolutions have a pretty high crash and burn rate. Why is that? When our intentions are so good, why do we struggle to follow through with meaningful, lasting change? As you make your New Year’s resolutions, here are 3 simple steps to consider that will really up your odds of success:
Here’s an example of how I’m applying these steps in my life this year:
A. BE AWARE – I’m starting with forcing myself to be aware. It’s so easy to walk through the city and turn a blind eye to the homeless. Seeing other people suffer is painful and can make me feel guilty for what I have so for me, this is a good first small bite.
B. SHOW RESPECT – I’ve realized that part of the pain that homeless people feel is the judgement and lack of respect they get from others. So my next bite is choosing to look them in the eye and smile or say hello. It seems like such a small thing but more than once, I’ve noticed how surprised a homeless person is to receive such a simple act of respect.
C. ENGAGE – I’ve started looking for signs that a homeless person is open to a more significant exchange. A few weeks ago, I was jogging in a park when a young homeless man asked me a question. I stopped and answered him. Then I sat on the bench beside him, asked him a few questions about his life and we had a great conversation. A few days ago, my wife Lisa and I were on a walk looking for a landmark but couldn’t find it. I noticed a homeless woman sitting nearby so I asked her if she knew where it was. Lisa and I bantered with the woman for a few minutes and joked around. We were careful to talk with her exactly like we would talk with anyone else we had just met. I could hear in the woman’s voice and see on her face her surprise that we were engaging with her in a normal way vs. pretending that she wasn’t there or looking down on her.
D. GIVE PRACTICAL HELP – When I’m in AZ, I volunteer my time with and financially support a fantastic organization called Furnishing Dignity that provides free furniture to people transitioning from homeless. Now I’m using volunteermatch.org to research volunteer opportunities in Sacramento and hope to find a similar organization to commit to when I’m in CA.
I’m guessing you’re as tired of it as I am. The texts. The robocalls. The…
As I finish my October author tour, here's a painful lesson I learned during a…
As I'm currently on book tour, I thought this would be an appropriate post to…
SPECIAL NOTE: I'm on book tour in October and may be in your area. I'd…
There’s something special about autumn. The crisp air. The vibrant purple, red, and gold leaves.…
I’m a fixer. In response to a frustration, hurt, or problem in a loved one’s…