Never underestimate the power of a plan in combination with focused intensity.
All of my life I’ve struggled against my free-spirited nature and upbringing in an attempt to distill my attention into a truly disciplined lifestyle. I’ve won some and I’ve lost some. My small business’ books are organized to the nines, but I’ve yet to establish the habit of making the bed every day. (In reflection, generally my “work” items are always very organized—I’m only disorganized and off-plan in my personal life).
The past seven or eight years, my New Year’s Resolutions have always reflected this drive for a more disciplined life. Read two books a week, practice piano and flute daily, exercise 3-5 times a week, eat better and get out of debt. And that’s just my 2008 resolutions!
For what it’s worth, I didn’t complete any of those goals.
In 2009. I narrowed my focus to getting out of debt. With a one-month-old business and an uncertain income, my husband and I committed ourselves to paying off debt. We read “The Total Money Makeover” and put it into practice. Within six months, we paid off $23,000 in debt. A car, my six-year-old student loan, adoption debts and piles upon piles of medical bills.
Our snowball sheet included about 12 debts. Now one year later we’re down to our last two debts and we’re so close we can smell freedom. We’ve got another four to eight months of paying if Murphy stays away. I’ve had the same experience with my small business. Focusing on my business plan and following it has improved business substantially–I ended up 2009 with 600% higher profit than I started in January.
Keeping these successes in mind, I’m adding one more resolution to the list in 2010. To loose some weight. Yes, this one has been on the list for nearly a decade, but this time, I’m going to achieve it.
Why? I have a plan, and focused intensity. Budgeting with my money has taught me to budget with my health and fitness. Knowing my strengths, weaknesses, moods and triggers, have helped me to choose a diet and exercise program that will fit my system. (Previously I’ve just charged headlong into some new program each year).
I know that this time I will succeed. I know this without a doubt. I have no fear of failure and no apprehension.
The weight will be gone. Ninety-seven pounds in one year. Open heart surgery five years ago left me too weak to resume exercise, and I gained rapidly. I struggled with maintaining my blood sugar, pain and mood swings that sabotaged my efforts.
Now I’ve learned that success is made one step, one right choice at a time repeated over and over. One of my favorite business books “Good To Great” by Jim Collins refers to “disciplined people, doing disciplined things, in disciplined ways.”
I’m not waiting for a specific block on the calendar. I started as soon as I decided what needed to be done—four days ago.
As for progress, the way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and I’m already down four pounds.
I can do this. You can too. Be it debt, or pounds or both, the power of a plan and sticking to it, is positively incredible.
May 2010 bring you freedom in whatever way you desire!
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Happy New Year, Jessica! I have enjoyed reading all your posts and have gleaned not only good advice, but lots of good food for thought as well. I did the weight loss thing last year: came up with a plan, stuck to it all year and lost the weight. This year it’s moving toward freedom from debt. Again, we have a plan, will stick to it and see where we are at the end of the year. So, my goals for this year are to maintain the weight loss and lose a lot of debt. Like you, I know we can do this!
So far, I’m still on plan. Down 10 lbs since this post.