EULALEE THOMPSON
EXCEPT FOR my birthday celebrations, Christmas time is definitely my favourite time of year. I like the 'energy' of the period. I actually know quite a few people who love the Yuletide period so much that they start making gift lists and Christmas meal plans from as early as October.
The charm and attraction of Christmas are that they allow us to put on one of the several 'masks' (or personae) that we wear as adults and then enter into 'fantasy'. I suppose, some people can pretend, for example, that they are nice, altruistic individuals, giving gifts and visiting the poor. Others can pretend that they are happy, profiling and eating and drinking up a storm. Psychologically speaking, fantasy can be a 'healthy escape', even a boost for mental health, so long as it doesn't begin to skim the boundaries of dysfunction.
But, even between the glasses of sorrel and meagre slices of cake, for me, the end of the year is also about some serious matters. It's about decluttering my life (literally and figuratively), assessing the past year and setting new goals.
YEAR 2005 WAS GREAT!
I am already assessing this year, and, without a doubt, 2005 has definitely been one of my best years. In my personal life, I achieved all my goals and, in my public life, as a journalist, this year was very successful. The Gleaner Health Project 2005 and Your Health have already won no fewer than seven local and international awards and the year is not yet over. This is no meagre achievement by any measure. Yes, I am patting myself on the back and there's nothing wrong with that; it is called 'positive reinforcement' and celebrating success. Try it, it feels good. Success was not by chance. Working with health consultant, Dr. Wendel Abel, we set high performance standards; we mapped out on paper our goals, sub-goals and targets and followed an implementation plan (assisted of course, by other expertise in the newsroom).
This brings me to the essence of this article; and you might notice that I am wearing my other hat today as counselling psychologist as I encourage you not to just make resolutions, but back them up with clearly defined goals.
THE SMART TECHNIQUE
So, my Christmas gift to you, nicely gift, wrapped with a pretty pink bow, is the SMART technique for goal-setting and achievement:
A quick example to apply the SMART technique is in weight loss efforts (almost everybody makes a resolution to lose weight at the start of each year). So you resolve to lose some weight, that is too general. Get pen and paper and be specific about the amount of weight you would like to lose, over a clear period of time. You would want to set smaller, measurable activities to achieve your larger goal - some sub-goals. For example, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds over four months, a sub-goal may be to lose five pounds each month and that can be broken down to weekly goals and activities (for example, meal and exercising plans) to achieve the larger goal. Talking with your nutritionist and exercise physiologist, you may find that it is unrealistic to set certain weight loss targets and remember, the SMART technique says that your goal should be realistic and achievable or else you are setting up yourself for failure.
REAL MOMENTS
There's more. Because I value you as a reader, I have a second gift for you - the book, Real Moments by Barbara DeAngelis (Ph.D.). Read it and enter the world of true happiness. It's not only about the material things (house, car, land), it's about developing the habit of 'being' in the moment. Don't postpone happiness until you find the 'right' spouse, the 'right' job or until the children are grown. No one is responsible for your happiness; you must claim it, even work towards it using the SMART technique. Share your goals with me and other readers.
Merry Christmas
&
Health, wealth and happiness in the New Year.
You can send your feedback to eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com.
