During the month of January, we often talk about new beginnings. As another year passes and a new year is upon us, most of us feel the urge to look at our past mistakes and failures in order to refresh our goals, renew our mindset, and restart our journey towards accomplishing them. This is a natural human response and is healthy for our growth.

Many people are of the belief that resolutions are unhealthy because it’s ultimately a setup for failure, but I submit for your consideration, 5 reasons why resolutions are one of the healthiest things a person can do even when faced with the possibility of failure because I believe the rewards outweigh the risks.

1. Hope for the Future: Nothing beats depression like hope! Believing that you have a chance at something new or great can be the push you need to take the next step toward your goal. As the saying goes, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Positive movement of any kind towards your goal will ultimately lead to the finish line you desire. The key is to Take Action! Even though we may experience setbacks along our journey, embrace the experience and get back up and try again. Tell yourself, “if I have breath in my body I will always get up and fight!”

2. Build upon Mistakes: Learn from your mistakes! Understand that failure is not final, but an opportunity to learn, persevere, and overcome. All successful people have experienced failure but what sets them apart from many of us is their resolve to get back up and try again. You were designed with an incredible resilient spirit! You have the ability to adapt and learn from your mistakes. The key is to Take Action! Embrace the reality of your failure and look at your mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

3. Develop Resilience: Our body and mind naturally want to shield us from the harsh realities of life. These coping mechanisms allow us time mentally, emotionally, and even physically to adjust to problems or less than ideal situations without having a mental breakdown. This state of mental defiance should only last temporarily; the problem is when we get stuck in this state of delusion and denial. At some point we need to address the issues at hand or run the risk of developing an unresolved subconscious emotional issue. The key is to Take Action! Embrace your God given strength and ability to deal and cope! Understand that processing the tough issues of life is a sign of a strong, healthy, and balanced person. Sometimes your strength can be uncomfortable to others, but like one of my mentors would often say to me, “Sometimes we need to be comfortable making others uncomfortable!”

4. Embrace Change: Think about what might happen if you do try to change! You might just lose those stubborn extra pounds, or start a successful business, or develop better relationships, or finish that unique project, or you just might change the world! I know it may sound idealistic at first, but every cultural, technological, political, or social advancement was birthed in the mind of a person who embraced the possibility of change -- not only of the world around them but also of themselves! The historical giants in our planet’s history dared to dream of a world as it could be and found their purpose and calling in their pursuit to make their dream a reality. Some of the best things in life were born out of dreams! The key is to Take Action! Embrace the possibility of change in your life and in your world. Dare to dream of something bigger and better! Talk about your dreams every chance you get, write it down, and pursue it with all you’ve got! Be adaptable when necessary, but don’t be afraid to be creative and try new things.

5. Be an Influencer: My mother always told me, “Son, you never know who’s watching you!” Recognize that there is someone within your sphere of influence who will benefit from your experience and ultimately your success! You may never know the lives you touch along the way, but know that someone will always benefit from your success and even your failures. I’m a strong believer that we are a product of the influencers in our lives who served to shape the very essence of who we are! The key is to Take Action! Accept the challenge of leadership as a positive role model and influencer in your circle. You are a trailblazer paving the path for those behind you.

These are just a few tips to get you started on your journey. Get excited about life and take a step back to appreciate what you have been blessed with. If you are in the North Alabama area and are looking for a counselor please check me out at https://www.facebook.com/atouchofpeacecounseling/ or call me at 256-334-9572 to set up an appointment today.