None of my boys learned to crawl the traditional way. All three learned to “butt scoot” until they could pull themselves up to walk. But I don’t remember any of them ever saying “This is too hard. I’m quitting. One of you will just have to carry me for the rest of my life.” They just kept trying, and falling, and trying again. Until that magic day when their little feet and legs,  fat bellies and flailing arms got the hang of it. And in very short time, walking became second nature. They had confidence and never looked back.

I’m thinking about this because my oldest son just got his learners permit. Driving with him the first few times takes me back to the days of holding his sweet little hands and helping him try one more time. The words I say from the passenger seat are very similar to what I used to say then. “You’re good at this. Don’t be afraid, you have good instincts and reactions. Just relax. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. You’ll be fine.” And I’m watching him gain confidence every single time he gets behind the wheel.

Sticking to your goals is the same thing. Every time you make the time to sit down and think about the future you want, you begin to trust yourself more. By writing down the things you want, and making commitments to stepping forward, you are growing in confidence. You are leaving behind your fears, doubts, and insecurities and saying YES, I can do this. You are creating new patterns in your brain. You are learning to walk into a bright, bold, and incredibly satisfying future.

One month into 2014, a lot of us have already given up on our New Years Resolutions, if we were even bold enough to make them in the first place.  Life gets in the way, and we put our dreams and greatest ambitions on the shelf for another time.  Our day-to-day lists and obligations take over.  I see this in the gyms every year.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  How about making a New Months Resolution?  What would you like to see in the month of February, that will take you closer to the life you dream of?  Write it down, speak about it to anyone who will listen, create affirmation statements and post them all around you.

And I say to you today “You’re good at this. Don’t be afraid, you have good instincts and reactions. Just relax. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. You’ll be fine.”

This is an excerpt from my ‘Vision Camp 2014’ Goal Coaching Program.  If you’re interested in this program, or just looking for fitness tips and motivation, visit my website at www.denisedruce.com.