change, resolutions, and intent

Today's New York Times has an article about New Year's resolutions. The majority of them fail, and the article explores why.

Particularly interesting were the 4 steps of effective personal change:
1. Start with big changes, not small ones. Quick, noticeable results are inspiring.
2. Act like the person you are trying to become.
3. Reframe the situation.
4. Don't do it alone.

NLP can help a lot with the middle two steps.

It also helps to want something more than you want what you're trying to change from, like enjoying each breathful of clean air more than you want that cigarette. Spend time developing the pleasure of breathing.

There's a little plug for hypnosis, although the woman quoted said it didn't work! Rather, it was "something the hypnotist said" that worked. Go figure!

Click the title to go to the article.

I was at Dharma Yoga for a class today. Camilla talked about the difference between resolutions and intent.

Resolutions sound like imposing your will. Intent is more like a direction for your energy. We set an intent for class.

I wish I could remember more of what she said, but this is what stuck.