People consistently set themselves up for failure by focusing too strongly on the end-game and too little on the planning and progress stages of personal change. Well done Brenda.. Be yourself is the best to structure the change in a manageable and reasonable way.

If you step toward a better you, isn’t that also a new you? To me a new you doesn’t mean it’s making me perfect. Making me a better me is making me different from the old me and that, to me, is making me a new me!

Julieanne Case
Always from the heart!

Reconnecting you to your Original Blueprint, Your Essence, Your Joy| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | The Reconnection| AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplements

http://thereconnectivehighway.com

If you step toward a better you, isn’t that also a new you? To me a new you doesn’t mean it’s making me perfect. Making me a better me is making me different from the old me and that, to me, is making me a new me!

Julieanne Case
Always from the heart!

Reconnecting you to your Original Blueprint, Your Essence, Your Joy| Healing you from the Inside Out |Reconnective Healing | The Reconnection| AgeLoc Skin Care | Pharmanex Supplements

http://thereconnectivehighway.com

Thank you! I know so many people (me included) who set huge goals, then get overwhelmed, and fall short… then get down on themselves. So many of us try to change so many things at once and think of huge changes that need to be made. We set ourselves up to fail, and then wonder why we did. I would love to say I’ll lose X pounds this year. But I also no my body doesn’t like to part with weight, even with things like Weight Watchers, the gym, and a personal trainer. OR, I could say that this week I will try to eat one more serving of veggies than last week, or I will drink one more cup of water a day, etc. Those I can do. Those are realistic for me. And I don’t feel like I’m trying to change the core of who I am.

It depends on what that step looks like. Eating an extra serving of veggies every day doesn’t really make me a “new” me. I’m still exactly who I was before. I might feel better, I might lose weight… or I might not. I think people often see “new you” as making huge changes. And since most people fear change, they may never take even the first step. This year can be exactly like last year and if I just change my perspective on things, it could be my best year… without me really changing at all.

We are constantly changing and thus becoming “new” again – but when people advise a “new you” they often imply leaving the “old” one behind! I see it more as integrating who I am with all the stages of my life. I couldn’t agree more that being the “best self” is way better than imagining someone totally new and thus different. Congratulations on reinventing yourself in 2010 and continuing the journey.

Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

I am SO glad you don’t want to change into some kind of brand new improved clone, Brenda. I think your message holds tremendous compassion and self- care and models that for others. Balancing self-acceptance with a call to develop grow into even more of what makes each one of us special and a gift is where it’s at for me!

My path is to take life a day at a time. I will continue to pace myself and honor my own rhythm.

Maureena Bivins, PhD
Acupuncture & Somatic Therapy

http://maureenabivinsphd.com
Curious, committed, and compassionate.
What do you look for in a health care provider?

Hear, hear Brenda! I also took that step in 2010 when I opened my tutoring agency. It wasn’t a brand new me, but it was a step to a better life in many ways. Thank you for the reminder that no one is perfect, nor should we strive to be.

I agree with your assessment that it is the sum of our experiences to date that makes us who we are now – we all change along the way, but we are still the same person. I love what you say about striving to be the “best you” you have ever been at this point – your journey until now shaping that. Also, I believe we need to be accepting of and present to ourselves now, rather than constantly trying to reinvent ourselves artificially. I wish you every success as you continue on your journey, your best life, in 2012.

I know that a lot of people make new years resolutions to try to become something they think they want to become, like the long time goal, to lose weight. I’ve never been good at resolutions because they have never empowered me and I always seemed to fail and then I would beat myself up because I didn’t accomplish that resolution. I’ve started to create intentions, but I don’t just start in the new year. I set them everyday. It’s sort of a life style, like eating healthy, exercising, etc. Everyday I get to be the “Best Me” because I’m doing what I can in any given moment and accepting myself and limitations.

I like the me I am, so I don’t feel the need to be a “New Me.” It doesn’t mean I won’t make changes from time-to-time and I won’t evolve.

“…what step will you take this year towards living Your Best Life?” Good question! I am another one who is very happy with the life I have. My concerns are more about keeping it as good as it is than changing it. But it could be better. I need better balance and boundaries within the conflict of like as a WAHP. So not as easy and nirvana as it seems from the outside…

I like me and I also like the “New Year, New You” because I see it as an invite to live out my dreams – the way you describe living your “best life”. It is a never-ending journey of self-exploration, expansion and discovery Love the title, “MomME Project” – very cool! Brandy

Committing to making ourselves better – and not just new – would probably help lots of us make more progress on those new year’s resolutions. I know that I have committed to do more of exactly what you are saying in 2012…getting away from trying to remake myself and focus more on being a better version of what I already am. There is so much to be done in the way of living my best life!

I’ve already taken that first step. I had my first appointment today with my new business coach. It’s a little scary and a lot exciting. I’m going to make this the best year ever!

Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://susan-berland.com

One of my goals for 2012 is to take time to slow down and live in the moment more. My personality is one of a planner and that continues in my business life as well. I can very easily get caught up in planning the days ahead, or the next event and not fully recognizing what’s around at the moment. Love the spin of your post – Live your best life! A much better way to look at the new year coming up

Mybe finally writing the tell all, tale book I’ve been putting off forever

I am engaging an ever deep and abiding meditation practice. I am bringing more of ‘who I am’ to my businesses. I am more relaxed and loving.

Thank you. I think it’s hard for people to love themselves, especially when we keep hearing we should be something new and different. There are some pretty fabulous people out there who I’m guessing could become even more fabulous.

Thank you so much Vicki. I always learn so much from your writing. You have a gift.

I strive to be able to do that.

Thank you so much. You are doing a fabulous job with your agency and helping countless lives. They are blessed that you took that step.

Thank you so much Imogen! So many of us spend too much time dwelling on the past or wishing for the future and forget to love who and where we are right now. We have nowhere to go but forward.

I love that! I’ve never been good at resolutions for the same reasons… beating myself up if I didn’t accomplish them. My friends and I used to do a “resolutions” board, but it was more what is more commonly seen as a vision board nowadays. We would write the hopes and dreams, including what our perfect mate would be and, go figure, we each got the person we’d manifested through those intentions. I need to get better about doing them daily,

Exactly

Yes! I think “balance” as a WAHP is being comfortable with the fact that there is none, lol. I’m trying to think of balance on a more long-term basis than a daily one. Some days it’s all work, some days it’s all my little girl. While everyone has spent the past week or two working on business goals, running to end the year strong or start the new one with a bang… I’ve been cleaning and prepping for a rainbow unicorn party. Work will come later. And I’m accepting of this “balance” and will deal with playing business catch up later. My little girl will always come first. Maybe that makes me different. But it is what I’m comfortable with.

Thank YOU, Brenda. You’ve touched my heart (again) today.

Thank you I think it all comes down to how you see “new you.”

Have a fabulous 2012 and may it be the best year yet!

Congratulations!!! I am doing more coaching this year as well. I know the steps I need to take, but hoping this will help me build the confidence to act on them.

It’s so hard to step away from planning when you’re a planner. I went from overly and completely run by my calendar to basically tossing it out the window when I retired to have my daughter. Trying to pick it up again as I build this new business, but trying hard to still leave time for spontaneity.

Um, you’re changing names to protect the innocent, right????

That sounds marvelous!

I am showing up for myself…YES