Take charge!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important that any other one thing". - Abraham Lincoln

I can't speak for all of you, but I can say that I'm claiming 2008 to be MY year. I've got dreams, goals, plans, etc and I want to see them come to fruition. I know it's said, that if you want to make God laugh; make plans, but His a part of all my plans, so I'm good.

Although I quit my then decade + relationship with Essence Magazine because I no longer found that it contained the resources and information that was conducive to how I life and the woman I am; I still check it out from time to time. I came across the following (and retyped it) in the January 2008 issue and wanted to share it with you all. It's obviously geared toward women seeing as Essence is a women for/about black women, but I tweaked the woman reference to include me as I feel this is something each gender can use.

This is my year to be the wo/man I’ve always wanted to be. This year I will put ____________(your name) first. Staring with ___________(date), I will focus on taking the steps to achieve my goals. Ever since____________ I’ve know that I want to_____________. Today I will create a plan to realize my dreams.

This is my year to achieve four goals:

1.______________________________

2.______________________________

3.______________________________

4.______________________________

Negative factors, real and imagined, will no longer be obstacles to my success. To get over____________________, I will stop_______________________. To get over____________________, I will pray that___________________. To get over____________________, I will plan to_____________________. I know that I Will be successful because it is my dream to_______________________.

To stay on track, I will have my friend___________________________ check on my progress every week/month/quarter (choose one) and hold me accountable. This is my personal 2008 pledge to myself so that I can realize my dreams and live the wonderful life I fully deserve.


________________________(your signature)


We can't claim that which we are not committed to receiving, so I implore you all to copy/print this pledge and use it in your lives. Having something in writing makes it more real and certainly more effective. Find that friend who'll always give it to you straight no chaser and let them be your mentor for this exercise. I'm going to share this with a person of each gender as I feel the male/female perspective will provide great insight and achievement toward my success. Whomever you decide is your choice. Wishing you all well and feel free to email me interim reports if you feel so inclined.

Love!