I Think I Can, I Think I Can

Things are heating up as many Highlowaha readers are getting into thick of discovering how to make their resolutions and dreams come true in 2010.

It's not too late to join in, but you have a little catching up to do. Read below.

Review for Those Just Dropping In

Inspired by M.J. Ryan's book titled, This Year I Will, our community has already engaged in two activities - with the promise of many more as 2010 progresses. On Monday we considered "soul resolutions," and named our years. I named my year the Year of the Book. Others followed suit with the Years of Decorating, Art, Family, Balance, Cards, Organization, Routine, Yoga, and many more.

Yesterday we worked to outsmart our Limbic Systems. Sounds serious, I know. While the Neocortex (our third brain) is busy generating all kinds of creative ideas about changes we'd like to make in our lives, the Limbic System (our second brain) automatically puts the kibosh on anything that might cause you pain or fear. The temporary discomfort involved in creating a new habit is just enough put your second brain in a tizzy.

The only solution, as advised by Ryan, is to outsmart your Limbic system. We do this by selling it on all the easy, fun, new, and different benefits of meeting our resolutions. I, for instance, decided writing a book would allow me to meet new people while sitting in Starbucks four hours each day, provide me a flexible schedule, improve my writing skills, give me cause to do something I already enjoy, leave behind a legacy, and meet Oprah.

Onward and upward. Day 3.

Cheryl, Robin, Lindsay, Mandi, Holly, Heather, and all you other folks who anted up with a resolution... today we must work on your confidence. Sounds hokey, I know, but the truth is you must believe it to achieve it. Tony Robbins, look out!

Confidence, according to Ryan, keeps our emotional brain out of fight or flight fear AND serves as a reminder to our thinking brain (Neocortex) that we can achieve our goals. Yes, confidence is key.

Let's use me as an example. I want to write a book in 2010. It is essential I have confidence in order to complete the process, yet writing a book is something I know nothing about.

Void of genuine confidence, my Limbic System will kick in and fill my head with all sorts of reasons why I can't pursue my goal. I'm busy with three kids. I'm not an expert. Hours invested over the next year will be time wasted if nothing comes of it. There's probably already a book on the topic I am interested in. I'm not that good at punctuation, anyway. It'll never be a best seller. I have no idea what I'll even do with the book once it's written. What do I even know about publishing? Oh, and the list could go on.

Solution. Develop a Competence Inventory.

Think back to 4-6 accomplishments you've had in your life time. Write down the skills and strengths you employed in order to achieve each. Once completed, analyze your list to determine which skills and strengths you used repeatedly.

Your confidence will grow when you realize those very same skills and strengths - when employed - will allow you to successfully achieve your goal for 2010.

I'll get us rolling.

Accomplishments include completing my Ph.D., posting a blog every day for almost two years, sailing on Semester at Sea, establishing a Women in Research group while living in Kentucky, finally got drapes in my dining room; and bouncing back after a tougher than expected transition to Texas.

I went through each accomplishment and listed which skills and strengths I employed repeatedly. In the end, I determined the skills and strengths that will serve me best in successfully writing my book are: my ability to focus, my discipline in setting and sticking to a schedule, and my willingness to take initiative.

How about you?

What accomplishments have you had in your lifetime? How can you use the same skills and strengths responsible for past achievements to help you reach your goal for 2010?

Hop on Board.

Join the journey.