Do you remember when you were a kid and about to race someone? You hear the words “On your mark, get set, GO!”
On your mark.
On your mark means you find your place. You step up to the line and take a stance or get in position. You look in front of you to see your path. Maybe you glance to the left and to the right to see who your competition is and what kind of shape they are in. Now is the time when you think about how you are going to run this race. If its long distance you thinking of the correct pace to start and how strong you need to finish. Short distance, its pedal to the metal, right? (I’m pretty sure Usain Bolt has all this figured out before “on your mark”… just a guess)
Get set.
You’ve stretched, you’ve hydrated, and have a path and a plan. Now you steady yourself and pause and wait for the gun to sound.
GO! Means Go!
The owner of our store gave a speech at our kick off meeting and declared “Attitude is Everything.” It’s hard to run a good race without the right attitude.
The start of the year is a time to find your mark, before you get set, and GO! Let this statement and these few ideas be a driving force for you as you start the new year.
- Don’t expect change to happen overnight. It takes time. I’m experiencing this in my new job and it is hard! It’s like trying to learn to play the piano after playing the guitar for 13 years. The piano is going to sound like my 19 month banging away on his toy piano.
- Give yourself permission to fail. It’s going to happen and when it does you need to pick yourself up and try again.
- Give yourself permission to try something different. There is an old saying that rings true… If you keep doing the same thing you will keep getting the same result. Don’t be scared to try a different approach, you just never know what might stick and help you reach your goals.
- Have No Fear. Fear is probably the biggest reason people fail to change. Fear keeps you from thinking outside the box and making bold choices. My wife’s favorite passage from Isaiah 41:10 says,”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- Set a date. This isn’t my idea I confess but I heard it the other day and liked it. Now is a good time to pull out a calendar and decide when you plan to reach your goals. Pencil them in for the entire year but be realistic and give yourself time to reach them.
- Be specific and measurable. Again not my idea but worth sharing. Goals should be as specific as you can make them. If it’s weight loss ask yourself how much and give yourself time to reach it. If you want to quit a bad habit mark in your calendar the date and decide right now how you will stop.
So be encouraged in the new year and don’t let too much time slip by without taking some time for yourself to take your mark and get set. Doing this will help you GO, and do, and succeed!
I’d love to hear your ideas on how you keep your resolutions and handle change. Please share in the comments below or email me at jeremy@hannerchevrolet.com.
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