Happy New Eyes - Let's Rock Resolutions!

After many years of sticking plastic lenses in my eyes, I developed an allergy to my contacts. Can you say, “Owieeeee??!?” Lasik always sounded like the way to go, but fear always got the best of me. No longer able to wear contacts, I researched doctors, did the whole pre-screen thing, and had the surgery DONE (really!) within a week (I knew that waiting and thinking about it would mess with my head.)

So here I am a few weeks later, seeing better than ever and wondering why I didn’t do this sooner. When I squint my right eye, I can hear the famous Steve Austin, “do-do-do-do-do” (bionic eye sound effect).

The whole experience got me thinking about how fear holds us back. Some guru once said that the acronym for fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. I don’t know about that… having a laser beam drill into my eyes is real…scary… real scary. But, I had to deal and move forward – because I was forced to make the change.

How often do we have blurred vision without knowing it? We begin to believe that the blur is normal and live with it. It usually isn’t until we get out of the situation that we see things more clearly. Why didn’t I leave that job earlier?  Why didn’t I get out of that relationship sooner? Why didn’t I get Lasik a long time ago? Are you seeing things clearly right now? What is holding you back?  Fear? Lack of money?  Confidence? Why does some change have to be forced upon us for us to realize it is what we wanted all along?

Here’s How to Get New Eyes for the New Year (without surgery):

Positive Future Focus

Ask yourself, “What is possible?” and play only to the positive. Too often, we focus only on the negative outcomes. What if I ask for a raise, and I get it?  What if I tell my spouse I need him home from work every day at 6:30, so we can eat together as a family, and he agrees?!

Risk it

If you are risk adverse, try chanting, “Ohhhhh what the heckkkk, gooooo for it anywayyyyy.” You will never know the outcome until you try. If it doesn’t work, at least you can move in another direction.

Forget New Year’s Resolutions

Making goals once a year?  Forgettaboutit! It is easy to get down on yourself the very first week. Most people give up by March. “Oh well, there’s always next year.”  What? Even if you blew it, you can still do it! Reset your thinking at the beginning of every month. Yell, “Happy New Month,” and refocus your efforts. Are you really wanting to rock your resolutions? Yell, “Happy New Week,” and start off Mondays with a bang rather than a sputter. Truly, every day is a new start. Right now I can hear Scarlett O’Hara saying, “After all… tomorrow is another day!” and she is right.

Think it and Ink it

Write down what you want to accomplish and keep it in front of your eyes. This will help you set your internal GPS. It is certainly easier to get to your destination when you have a map. Especially, those of you who never ask for directions – you know who you are. Recalculating…

Partner Anyone?

Find an accountability partner who can keep you motivated and on task. A friend and I are on a health kick, and it is fun to check-in at night to see how we did. She offers great suggestions and also makes me feel better by sharing that she snuck some chocolate too.

So open your eyes this year and move toward what you want, while steering clear of what you don’t. Make a plan and don’t give up. We are all afraid…feel the fear and do it anyway. Have a clear vision, focus and let’s make 2012 a great year… starting today. Rock your resolutions! Do I hear that bionic eye sound effect?