Saturday, February 2, 2013

Why Not?

It is the beginning of a new year and for most of us, that means making New Years Resolutions in January and most likely breaking them within a month.

Now that it is the 2nd day of February, I would like to ask, how are you doing with KEEPING your New Years Resolutions? Have you broken them yet or are you on your way to keeping them? 

For many years, I did not make any resolutions. This year, I decided to make 3. I decided to make them simple and achievable. I took a few steps towards making a commitment. I wrote them down on a 3 x 5 card that I have taped to the top of my desk where I can see them every day while I am working. 

The title of this blog is, "Why not? Most business owners especially those that are involved with networking companies always ask their perspective business partners to answer the question, "WHAT IS YOUR WHY?" Why do you want to be your own boss? Why do you want to earn LOTS OF MONEY? Why do you want to quit your day job? The answers to these questions are supposed to get you thinking on an emotional level WHY you will stay motivated and do whatever it takes to succeed. 

The answers to these questions don't always serve the purpose that they are intended. I believe because most people don't know how to make a commitment and keep it when the going gets tough. The best definition of the word commitment that I have come across is:

"There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when its convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results." Anonymous.

This is where my favorite quote and philosophy comes into play. "By small and simple means GREAT THINGS are brought to pass." It is in doing small and simple things EVERYDAY that GREAT THINGS WILL BE brought to pass.

This leads me to the question and title of this blog: Why not? Have you noticed that when a small child asks 'WHY," he isn't allowed to do something, he usually follows it up with the question, "Why not?" He wants to know WHY he shouldn't do something,  not why he should. I think most of us would be much more motivated to keeping our commitments if we followed the same process of thinking as a small child.

When Thomas Edison was asked how he felt about failing to invent the light bulb over 200 times, he replied, "I did not fail at inventing the light bulb over 200 times. I succeeded at finding 200 ways not to invent the light bulb." Success or failure is all about what it means to you as an individual.

So here is my question, Why shouldn't you succeed at keeping your resolutions this year? Do you need some motivation? If you want to lose 50 pounds this year, why shouldn't you? Why not look incredible and be healthy? Do you want to earn an extra $10,000 this year? Why not take the steps necessary to achieve that? Think about what it would mean in the terms of freedom.

If you are looking for a fun and simple way to achieve your goals and keep your resolutions, why not make this the year to do it?