HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wrote this last year and feel it still works as a guide again this year. Enjoy.
By the time you are reading this the New Year has arrived and many of you may have thought about a New Year’s resolution. I was curious to what the definition of “resolution” would be. According to Dictionary.com, it is “a firm decision to do or not to do something or a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting by a formal organization, a legislature, a club or other group.”
Hmmmm, this last definition I found rather interesting. I would believe most of us, in making a resolution or two, would not be involving other people but making this decision solely on our own, without any input from others. Some may even make a list of resolutions for the New Year and never share any of their list with anyone else. Can you even
remember what your resolution was last year?
A few years back a good friend of mine, Kenny Chapman, wrote an article, “Why New Year’s Resolutions Are a JOKE.” He is the author of a book called, “The Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E.” and owns a training company called “The Blue Collar Coach,” and is a owner of a plumbing company in Grand Junction, Colorado. We have had Kenny
at our shop working with our Team. He is all about moving forward and leaving the past in the past.
In his article, he asked the question, to his team of service technicians, “Why don’t New Year’s resolutions work?” A couple of his guys shouted out that resolutions do work,
as long as there is a strong enough emotional reason, along with a time line and a plan to accomplish the desired results. Sounds simple enough, but we all know, New
Year’s resolutions do not work. Why? Basically, a day such as New Year’s Day or a new calendar year does not give the strong enough emotional reason to make the change. And if we fail, we know we always have next year!
Really a better approach, which does work, is using the term “GOAL” versus Resolution. I have read and done the exercises in Kenny’s book, “The Six Dimensions of C.H.A.N.G.E.”
C – for Clarity: We must achieve clarity to really focus on what we want. This is much harder than it sounds. In this fast-paced world, we are pulled in so many directions.
H – Habit: Most of what we do daily is out of habit. A habit is not bad, we just need to make sure it is still serving our needs in a positive way and not holding us back.
A – Action: We can write things on a piece of paper, but without actually doing something, nothing will happen. Get
N – Never Give Up: Anything worthwhile will have some challenging aspects associated with it because we have never done this particular thing before. Don’t give up!
G – Gratitude: Everyday, I come across people who are just plain negative! Living in the United States we have so much to be thankful for that we just plain take for granted. Take the simple task of doing laundry, for instance. I recently did the holiday tour at The Conrad Mansion, here in Kalispell, and we toured “the laundry room.” I am so thankful for my washing machine and dryer. But bigger than this, deepen your gratitude in all that you have, and you improve your life.
E- Enthusiasm: Get excited; find some Passion! Make it happen for yourself today. There is really only one absolute truth… none of us is getting out of here alive, so have some fun in this great game of life! If you do not like something, then change it. It is your choice.As we make our way through 2016, keep this article close to hand, and apply these six dimensions of change in your life.
As always, Your comfort is our Central Concern. Call Central for all your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical and drain cleaning needs at 756-6656.
Who doesn’t like “little Smokies” at this time of year? This is a favorite recipe going way back to my childhood…
Sweet & Nutty Crescents
1 pkg crescent rolls cut into thirds (like three triangles)
24 Smokies, wrapped with a triangle dough
1⁄2 cup butter melted
3 T honey
3 T Brown sugar
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
Mix last four ingredients together and place in bottom of 8×11-inch pan, top with Smokies and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until brown… These are crowd pleasers, so double up the recipe…
