I want to talk to you about personal resolutions. You know - they're the things that you say you are going to do to make things better for yourself. Most often, people make what are commonly known as "New Year Resolutions." At the start of a new year they decide that they will:

• quit smoking
• get fit
• lose weight
• get a better job
• stop swearing
• write a book

Do you have a resolution? Have you broken it already? Hmm. Most people break their resolution within days of making it.

So, how do you make a resolution work?

The key to making a resolution work is to re-affirm it. Whatever your resolution may be, every day you must do something to ADD to it. The BEST way to do that, bar none, is to write something down EVERY day to ensure your progress. Let me give you a personal example...

On the 31st of December 2002 I decided that I wanted to take my karate ability to a new level. I purchased a small exercise book and ruled it into columns. Each day I was to practice and record what I did. Let me tell you this: writing something down makes it REAL.

Guess how many days I missed in the three years to 31 December 2005? NONE! And I have started 2006 the same way.

Whatever it is, whatever your goal - make a pact or promise to yourself and write it down. If you do not write your goal down then all it will be is a wish. And we all know what happens to wishes. They get forgotten as the humdrum of life bears down upon us.

To record your resolution's progress I recommend using a book rather than just loose pieces of paper. If you want to be more visual about your goal you can cover your book with pictures relevant to it.

Here is another suggestion - the bigger your goal, the nicer should be your book to record your progress. In other words, don't use a shabby old book or one with pages torn out of it or one used for something else. Is your goal shabby? No! So, use a book befitting of it.

After you map out your plan on paper the process then becomes very simple. I have just one rule after you have done the planning. Here it is - you are not allowed to go to bed until you have made a daily entry into your book. Yeah, it takes discipline but discipline can be learned. This method will teach you discipline. Writing your goal down then adding to it every day solidifies your commitment to the resolution. Remember, "inch by inch, it's a cinch!"

One more thing - put your book where you cannot miss it. Place it in a prominent position where you will see it every day.

If you use my method you will stick with your resolution. You will advance. You will improve. You will achieve.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.

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