How are those resolutions working out?

We all know the cliche, right? Resolutions are set the first of the year... lose the weight, quit smoking, get organized, pay off the debt... and then a few weeks into the year the focus and commitment wane. Why is that?

I believe the main reason is very simple: comfort zones. Most of us do not really understand what a comfort zone is, we do not know how powerful a comfort zone can be, and we do not know how to get out of a comfort zone that is not working for us.

Comfort Zone: "I am" Belief = Current Results

It's really very simple. A comfort zone occurs when our results match our belief about who we are. Whether those results are what we really want or not. Think about that. Read it one more time. Really let it sink in. If you have a core belief that you are out of shape, and when you look in the mirror the result you see is that you are, that's a comfort zone. Even though I'm guessing neither you or anyone else would say that "out of shape" is the result they want.

When a person makes a resolution to change their result (get in shape) without changing their beliefs, they are making it much harder than it needs to be to create lasting change. Because when they get to the gym, start to work out and start to see their new results, they are going to be uncomfortable. Maybe in a strange, difficult to understand (Why would I NOT want to be in shape?") way, but uncomfortable. That core "I'm out of shape" belief is going to be pulling them back to their previous behavior and result. I believe this is the single most important reason why people fail to achieve their New Year's Resolutions. Why the results either never happen or, if they do, why they do not last.

So, what can you do differently? Start by changing your "I am" belief. Using affirmations, visualization and connecting deeply to feeling, declare to yourself and the rest of the universe that you are in excellent shape. That you are an athlete. A lean, mean fitness machine!

But wait... if you are reading carefully, you see that there is still a problem. If a comfort zone occurs when my belief about who I am matches my current results, when I change my belief before I change my results, don't I still get out of my comfort zone? Great question! And the answer is yes. But bear with me...

If we start by changing our "I am" belief, THEN go to the gym and create those new results, the new results will match our new "I am" belief and we will have created a NEW comfort zone. Read THAT again... because this is the key to getting the results we want more quickly and easily and to making them last.

Start today by declaring your new "I am" belief, despite what your current reality might be. Be willing to be uncomfortable for a period of time as you take the necessary actions to create that new result. And then enjoy your new, stress free comfort zone!