Guest Article by Julie Plancarte

Keeping The Promises You Make To Yourself  

2009 was a different year for my family. We relocated, and I found myself out of work for about eight months while I finished nursing school. It was a time unlike any other in my life. I was finally completing a goal that had been set many years ago. Beyond this I still had periods where all I could do was wait. Wait for paperwork to get filed with the state, wait for my school to communicate with the State Board of Nursing so I could sit for my licensing exam, wait to take the state test and get the results, and wait to get licensed after passing the exam.

As I reflect back on what happened to me, I am reminded how often at the start of the year we set goals for ourselves. Many times, as reality sets in and we fall back into old habits, the goals we wanted to achieve are cast aside. It's too frustrating to wait, to be patient, and to slow down.

I am someone, who in the past, has been consumed by "what ifs" and lost motivation as a project has stretched out. It's easy to be overwhelmed by something and talk yourself out of it. I think that's why New Year resolutions tend to fall by the wayside. People have good intentions, but allow their daily life activities to distract them.

For me, I have had to change my way of thinking this past year and learn to follow through on the goals I set. This has been challenging, but for the most part, there have been big rewards.

So I guess for anyone like me, I can suggest the following steps when you start out a new year with new ideas.

First, start with small steps. I found that by breaking down a goal into pieces, I was able to stay more focused and I felt like I was seeing progress. As I passed each benchmark I set for myself, I felt like I had accomplished something. I knew I had some work ahead of me, but I had enough small successes to stay motivated.

Second, I gave myself time to plan a little for really big stuff and I reached a compromise when time was critical. If I spent time dwelling on past mistakes, got anxious, or questioned if I could do something, I was going to be stuck and never get anything done.

Third, I tried to accept that I couldn't control everything. Chances were, something would come up that would go wrong. I had to be focused on solving each crisis as they cropped up, and find ways around them. If one path was blocked, I had to find another. This requires good problem solving skills and lots of creativity.

As I entered the workforce again in the fall of the year, I had one more surprise waiting for me. I ended up in a supervisory capacity right out of school. It was never in my plans, but that ability to break things down and work through difficult situations became a real asset. I had to figure out ways to solve problems, get goals completed, and direct my employees in a way that encouraged them and made them feel positive. It's been a real eye opener.

2010 should be a busy year for me, but I'm happy I stuck to the goals I made for myself last year. I am seeing the benefits now. It's like that sometimes. You have to move forward and hope for the best. Life is such a short thing, and trying to get somewhere and make a mark is a worthy goal. All it takes is small steps that you build on. Achievements will come.

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Copyright 2010 Leland Pulley