What is another word for resolution?
I always hate to make New Year’s Resolutions. That’s usually the kiss of death for any proposed changes to my life. So I’m hunting for a new word to get this year off on a better foot. Hmmm… online dictionary has these Synonyms:
aim, boldness, constancy, courage, dauntlessness, decidedness, decision, declaration, dedication, doggedness, earnestness, energy, firmness, fixed purpose, fortitude, guts, heart, immovability, intent, intention, judgment, mettle, moxie, obstinacy, perseverance, pluck, purpose, purposefulness, purposiveness, relentlessness, resoluteness, resolve, settlement, sincerity, spirit, spunk, staunchness, staying power, steadfastness, stubbornness, tenacity, verdict, willpower.
I’m leaning toward a “Gutty Fixed Purpose ” ; “Dogged Fortitude” or maybe “Plucky Purpose”, whichever way I go it needs to be a better effort than my lame attempts last year. My past promises to myself; to read more, write better reviews, quit procrastinating, etc. have not been realized. So with a Sincere Spirit I hope to improve my blogging this year, take you along for some great reads, highlight Oklahoma authors and remind you and myself that reading is fun, relaxing, entertaining and informative.
So lets start the New Year with Oklahoma’s Creativity Coach, Romney Oualline Nesbitt’s book, Secrets from a Creativity Coach. It’s a 
great tool to get your life and creative juices flowing. I first heard about this book at the Red Dirt Book Festival’s author book review panel. I had been feeling overwhelmed by work, blogs, housework, and all the other annoying minutiae of everyday life. The review got me hooked.
Ms. Nesbitt has some very good, practical advise. She’s in the life coaching, creativity promoting business. She shares her techniques in the book by focusing on people, just like us, having a hard time getting their act together. She gives examples of how to turn things around by doing very simple changes. Her six changes to combat procrastination and perfectionism (my own downfall) are :
1. Be Present. “Be present in your seat whether that is at your computer, drawing table or piano bench.” “You can’t write a novel while you’re mowing the lawn. You can’t paint a portrait while you’re at the mall.” In my case, it’s you can’t read a book when you have the television on.
2. Stay. Get in your work space and stay there. She suggests using a timer if you have to. Give yourself a chance to get those creative jusices flowing. “Give yourself the gift of time.”
3. Don’t Look Back. I think I like this suggestion best. I’m always going back over why I didn’t accomplish something. Romney says: “Administer your own absolution. Forgive yourself for your pattern of inaction and start anew.”
4. Believe in the power of “good enough”. Every thing around you doesn’t have to be perfect for you to get going. Just getting started is the way to go. There’s no perfect time or place.
5. Take action and don’t stop. “Write one word, one sentence, squirt out your paints, or put your hands on the keyboard.” “Start and don’t stop. Do something!” I personally need to stop thinking about doing something and actually do it.
6. Today! “Today is the best possible day to begin, don’t wait for Someday.
and I’m going to add a seventh step, Go out and get this little book, start your New Year off with some optimism and creativity.
