subject: Do Not Set Yourself Up For Failure [print this page] Countless people at the beginning of every year make resolutions to over come bad habits, start a business, get in shape etc. As sure as the Sun rises and sets 97 percent will abandon their good intentions only to return to the world of the same ole, same ole. The feeling of disappointment and even depression that follows their defeat can often be worse than the defeat itself. Unfortunately, people set themselves up for failure without realizing it. The key to manifesting our intentions is to be realistic and reasonable about what we are able to accomplish. For instance, the other day I spoke to a woman who complained about her weight and informed me that she was determined to shed fifty pounds in six months. Well, that sounded like a reasonable goal. I cheered her on. But as she continued to speak, she revealed to me her hectic schedule. She worked ten hours a day six days a week and was raising, alone, three beautiful children ages twelve, seven and two. She also sang in the church choir and attended rehearsals two evenings in a week The choir was preparing for an upcoming concert. To add more fire to the flam, she recently registered for online college courses. I got tired just listening. I wondered to myself where in the world was this woman going to find the time to accomplish anything else? There is no need to go any further with the story. You get the picture. My new friend had set herself up for failure. Her desire to lose weight was very realistic, but the order was too tall considering her lifestyle. How often have our orders been too tall. I am reminded of the phrase, eyes too big for your stomach I have been guilty on more than one occasion of putting more on my plate than I could swallow. However, I now choose my words carefully when making declarations, and set goals that are reasonable and compatible to my lifestyle. I can do all things. But I cannot do them all at the same time. No more setups for failure
