New Years Resolutions? Not For Me! Kathy Polich

New Year Resolutions? Not for Me!

By Kathy Polich

I recently ran into a coworker I had not seen since before the holidays. We exchanged pleasantries, and she asked me a question you often hear this time of year; Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? We chatted for a few minutes, but here’s the short answer to the long-winded one I gave her: NOPE!

I almost feel guilty saying this and by no means intend to make anyone’s skin crawl, but I had a great 2021. I recognize and empathize with everyone that suffered loss and despair while navigating this time through COVID. But I had a great year. I finished my requirements to become a Certified Hypnotist, shed some unwelcome weight, increased my endurance and immunity, and enjoyed the extra time I got to spend with my kids. I’m going to let you in on a bit of a secret; I didn’t do any of those things by making resolutions... So I’m not going to start in 2022.

During my studies in hypnosis, I resonated with many of the Mind Rules I learned. As I studied the Rapid Transformational Therapy technique, these rules formed a basis for the entire curriculum. Here are a few of the rules that were the foundation for my significant changes.

1. Your mind believes anything you tell it; Good or bad, true or false, right or wrong. So what is the takeaway? Tell yourself positive things. If you tell yourself you’re starving, your mind will believe you and help you do whatever it takes to get that Big Mac! If you tell yourself you won’t reach or maintain a healthy weight because your entire family is overweight, your mind will believe you, and you will battle your weight forever! If you tell yourself you don’t have time to go back to

school, your mind will believe you and feel overwhelmed with your calendar and obligations. I’m sure you are starting to get the point. Your mind is your assistant and works hard to give you the results it thinks you want. Be a good boss and provide precise, positive instructions! Be a good boss and don’t let your assistant give you excuses. Be a good friend and give yourself compliments. If you can’t think of any, fake it until you make it!

2. Your mind loves what is familiar and doesn’t love what is unfamiliar. So if you think your body is craving that Kit Kat bar, guess again. It wants what is familiar. Make a healthier snack familiar. I have never been much of a coffee drinker, and when I do, I only add a bit of cream and some agave nectar or honey. I decided to eliminate the cream and sugar aspect. I took a drink the first day and didn’t like the taste. I told myself, “This is unfamiliar, but I don’t mind it. I took a sip the second day and still wasn’t sold on the taste. This time, I told myself, “This is becoming familiar, and I kind of like it. The third day, before I took a drink, I told myself, “It is familiar for me to drink black coffee, and I like it. Now when I drink coffee, it’s black! Some other things you should make familiar: selfpraise, self-belief, healthy choices. What is the number one thing you should make unfamiliar? I’m clapping if you said self-criticism!

What can you do right now to start making some changes? Try this: Make a list of anything you want that you currently don’t have. From this list, create vivid, exciting statements you can use to dialogue with your mind to achieve these things effectively. For example, if you want to shed some weight, try something like: It elates me to nourish my body with healthy, nutritious food. I am motivated and excited to prioritize the health of my body. Don’t forget to add statements of what you will make familiar!

Next time, I’ll share a few more rules of the mind. Until then, if you’re interest is sparked in using hypnosis to help you along on this journey, check out my website www. championride.org or send me an email at championride.kpolich@ gmail.com

This is LDK’s 6th year!

Thank you to all of our wonderful customers & their fantastic 4-leggers! 863-DOGS

Winnie & Coco

*It' sabouttheDOGS!*

• Dog and Cat Boarding • Indoor/Outdoor Kennels • Fully fenced exercise area to potty and play! • Dog Grooming • Private Training w/ Dan Visit us at

www.laughingdogkennel.com 105 Dean Street