Happy New Year!  January is the perfect month to think of new beginnings, fresh starts or new challenges; however it can be daunting to package them into resolutions.  Resolutions are commitments, but they can sound so inflexible that it leaves no room for jumping back on the wagon if you fall off.  Invariably, most folks fall off the resolution wagon before March.  In the past, I have created resolutions that had a life of a day.  I even thought of writing them down on elegant paper, placing them in a time capsule and burying them until next year.  Come on, once I knew I wasn't going to make it, the time capsule would have never seen the light of day.   Who needs to be mocked?

I think we need to build a little flexibility into our goal setting, instead of expecting perfection or declaring a hard date that almost guarantees throwing in the towel.  Life is not perfect, so why create a goal that can only be achieved with perfect execution.  There is nothing wrong with setting challenging goals, but have a little fun with it and know that there will be ups and downs that will require you to re-plan, zig, zag, adjust or go to plan B.  There is nothing wrong with plan B if it gets you where you want to go. 

I prefer to think of my 2009 challenges as how I plan to 'show up authentically' rather than just resolutions.  To show up authentically means to put your heart and soul into an action or activity, to give it your all.  Showing up means you are willing to go to the mat to make something happen.  What are you willing to go to the mat for?  What are you ready to show up for?  What truly needs to be changed, enhanced or eliminated in your life that can potentially make a significant improvement in the quality of your life or happiness? 

Sit down for an afternoon with a cup of tea, soothing music and a journal and start to think about you and what would make your life fabulous.  What has been knocking at your door that you have not answered?  What move do you want to make and have not?  What changes have you have pushed aside for fear of failing?  What relationship no longer serves you that is tearing you down or your dreams?  Have you made the sacrifices that are necessary to be as successful as you want to be?  Where are you not showing up in your life?  What do you need to do to transform your current situation?  Try not to evaluate, just write.  The purpose of this exercise is not to condemn you, but to start the dialogue about change.  Change begins with reflection and evaluation of what is true and what is not. 

Look at what you wrote and see what stands out.  What are the things that if improved could make a significant improvement in your life.  Select two or three.  Ask yourself what are the benefits of making the change.  How you can show up to make it happen.  What one or two things can you do today to make a difference?  It can be a big or small step, but it is an action.  Once you have completed the action step, take another, than another.  Don't be concerned with imposing impossible due dates, just move, take action.  Showing up is action.  It is seeing progress that will keep you moving forward.

I love new beginnings and am excited about 2009 and the gifts that are contained within it.  I am ready to show up authentically and will enjoy taking alternate paths, having new experiences and overcoming obstacles.  It will be a bumpy, but fantastic ride.  Take it with me.  Show up for you.