It’s a season of new beginnings, right? I always get pumped up at the beginning of a new year. I feel it’s my second chance, a do over, an opportunity to really make things happen. I usually examine the prior year and revisit all of those promises I made to myself and figure out what the hell happened.

Every year I vow this one will be different, that this time I will accomplish my goals. After going through that same routine year after year, I learned something new about myself. I wasn’t making myself a priority. I could accomplish goals when they were tied to others. If I made a promise to someone else, oh I was on it. I didn’t want to disappoint them or not be a woman of my word. They relied on me and had expectations based on what I promised. It made sense, but why didn’t I hold myself in that same regard? What was it about me that prevented me from keeping my word to myself?

In some instances I just didn’t want what it was bad enough. For me, certain things seemed really important for about a minute. Then I would get over it and move on to the next great idea. In other cases, I stopped recognizing or believing just how special I was. It seemed I was placing more value on the needs of others than I was on myself. I always teach others that they are worthy of the best life has to offer, but I was failing in believing that for myself.

So with this new year, I am still pumped up and looking forward to the opportunity of making things happen. However, the reasons will be different. I will keep the promises I make to myself because I deserve it! I am expecting greatness, and to deliver on what I said was important for my life right now. I only have this one life and I don’t want to miss my joy and the blessings that come my way when I make myself a priority.

What promises are you making to yourself this year?