Goals are an
important part of everyday life—from the time we wake up to the time we go to
sleep. Our day starts with an ambition to get out of bed. It might end with an
ambition to sleep soundly. These can be automatic goals that may not require
a lot of planning. (Although, depending on the person, they may not be quite so
natural.) On the other hand, there are many objectives that do necessitate forethought:
college degrees, promotions at work, a healthy body, and a happy family.
Obviously, there
are a number of authorities and books on the subject of working toward objectives.
However, I’m partial to books that don’t complicate my life before they
simplify them. In the same manner as most people, I appreciate simplicity.
Today, I’d
like to introduce you to a short, yet practical, self-help book. It’s called New
Year’s Resolutions: 10 Powerful Strategies To Make Yours Last all Year Long,
by S.M. Alleyne.
What follows
is my Amazon review of this wonderful book:
S. M. Alleyne recently achieved a Bachelor of Science in
Psychology; her words are proof of her hard-won insight. This book is a great alternative
for readers who are looking for a few easy tips on how to improve any area of
their lives; not a complicated, complete overhaul of their whole routine.
The author immediately
begins by asking readers what’s blocking them from achieving their goals right
now; and, where they want to be in a year. From there, she takes us on through
the following process: identifying our challenges and dreams; making goals to overcome
our shortcomings in order to meet our dreams; and, celebrating each “small”
victory that we achieve on the way to long-term success.
The wise
counsel of the author includes a number of suggestions, such as: believe in
yourself; write down and visualize your specific objectives; break your goals
into long-term and short-term plans; and do necessary research.
There are
many wonderful quotes and suggestions in this book; I took numerous notes.
However, the one quote that stands out is this one: “Real effort is needed
before any real change can happen in our lives.” The bonus is that Ms. Alleyne
identifies the most productive “effort” needed to reach many common goals.
I recommend
this book to absolutely anyone. There are those who insist on gaining insight
from only 2-inch thick books written by people with 10 letters behind their
names. These are the same people who love to spend hours “simplifying” and
organizing their lives. Personally, I don’t feel that way.
Note: I
would add a caveat: some “blockages”, literal or figurative, aren’t easy to control. Some blockages cannot be fixed without
serious intervention
My Conclusion
The long and
the short of it is that this is a wonderful book for anyone who is prepared to improve
themselves, step-by-step, with only a few simple changes in their attitude and
routine.
In the end,
the wise person will realize that everyone has the capacity to improve; and
that each person must take responsibility for their own progress. That’s what
this book is for: to empower us take control of our own lives in a
straightforward manner.
I’m in; are
you?
I've always said, "If you don't know where you're going, you won't know it when you get there."
ReplyDeleteThanks, FC! Profound, as usual! Everything worthwhile in life requires some sort of plan. Then, there's the old adage: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
ReplyDelete