Creating Lasting Values

Take a moment to reflect upon the changes you would like to make in your personal world. Would you like to drop a few pounds, exercise more, perhaps make more money? Jot down about 5 areas you would like to change in 2012.

Next, ask your self why you would like to make the changes. For example, if you want to drop some weight, perhaps it is because you want to become healthier. Or maybe you want to feel more confident in your skin.

If you wanted to make more money, do you want it to feel more secure, or perhaps you desire more freedom in your life?

Perhaps you would like a new job. Would you like to be more of service, be more creative, be around more positive people (more joy/love) or make more money so you can be able to go on vacation ( more freedom/ more joy)?

Continue to create the reasons why you would like to have change in your life. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves why a few times until we get into the root reason for wanting the change. When you have finished your reasons, take a look at your new values, the root reasons for change. Now when looking at the chore of changing your eating habits or dragging yourself to the gym will be more of an inspiration that pulls you versus a motivation that can wane if the results don't happen as fast as you would like.

Ask yourself, "how will I know when I have achieved my new value? What results will I see?"

Then create the situations that inspire more of what you want versus what you don't. Ask if an action brings you closer to your values or detract. Does immediate satisfaction outweigh long term results?