Turn Dream Resolutions into Reality with Self-Care and Energy Practices

Lori Hops, PhD, DCEP • January 18, 2022

Does this sound familiar?


It’s the New Year, and I try to set goals to improve my life for New Year’s Resolutions. I start out OK, but before long, I skip a few days, and then I stop altogether. It seems I feel worse about myself because I tried and failed. Is there anything I can do to keep the goals going well past January?

 

Fret not! You are not alone. Many people face this same situation when setting goals for themselves throughout the year. It’s normal to become more aware of goal setting when focused with others who are also making their New Year’s Resolutions. The New Year offers the promise of an enhanced beginning. You may have confidence that this year will be different, and will be focused on positive outcomes. But what happens when you face obstacles, or lack of motivation? Many people give up too quickly, and grow cross with themselves. What’s a well-intentioned person to do?


Number One: Know Thy Goal

The first step in solving a problem is to understand it. Rather than being overwhelmed by a challenge and then giving up, look at the problem one piece at a time.  For instance, if you have a goal to eat enjoying better nutrition, a first step for one person may be to find tasty and healthy recipes, while another person may want to imagine eating foods they enjoy, which are good for the body, whereas another person may not know where to start as they become anxious when thinking about food. Set up a step-by-step program for yourself, along with identifying ways to know when you hit the mark, so you can measure success. Energy psychology approaches such as EFTTFT, and CEP are designed to discover the rough spots where you get stuck with your goals. Once the resistance, energy blockage or limiting belief is addressed, you may be well on your way toward reaching your goal. You can receive a freeguide from ACEPon using energy psychology practices for removing blocks to goals. 


Number Two: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart!

Many people stop short of their goals because they take on too much at once, and have unrealistic expectations. Instead, try setting a series of small achievable goals that do not require drastic changes. Although it may seem boring, or that you are not making progress, most likely the consistent effort is paying off. As they say, slow and steady wins the race. After a few days of success, gradually increase your set of goals. By the end of several tries, you may be on your way to starting a new happier and healthier habit, and because it is gradual, it feels easy and simple.

 

For instance, with new food ideas, look for a few fun recipes or ask some friends for suggestions they enjoy. Keep recipes or photos saved on your computer or phone where you can look at them during the day, or print out some images to decorate your fridge, just to get the hang of a new way of eating. Then you may be ready to move on to writing the shopping list, or throwing a cooking and dining party in person or online. If you start to take on too much, calm yourself by using grounding and centering techniques, such as these meditations about gratitude, or try some breathing techniques. Once you are calm, and start again with easier goals and slow down. 


Number Three: Reward Good Behavior

Acquiring a new goal is not the time to launch into self-criticism and self-doubt. Instead, treat yourself gently, and with positive rewards. It may feel silly at first, but try anyway. Many people are more comfortable with stern voices in their heads rather than supportive ones, but you’ll likely go farther with a bit of sweetness and generosity of spirit. Find a small reward or fun activity you like, and give it to yourself every time you work on your goal. Change the reward to keep it fresh and motivating. Lavish with easy or quick self-care rituals, take comedy breaks by watching your favorite shows or routines, or get some fresh air. Be creative and inspired so you have fun and are relaxed. 


If you find you are still hearing those pesky negative messages, consider turning them around with positive affirmations, or address them head on with focused approaches to change, such as Logosynthesis, using words to move energy. You can learn more about a variety of other energy psychology practices on the ACEP website Resources section


Number Four: Don’t Go it Alone

Find others with the same goal as yourself, and make it a team effort. Choose supportive people you trust, possibly a family member or friend near or far to share the joys and challenges of moving through goals.  You may want to set up a social media online support community with likeminded folks, to encourage sticking with resolutions long past January. Sharing your joys and sorrows with others can reduce isolation, and make you see you are not so different from others.

 

If you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or are burdened by emotional, psychological or energetic distress when working toward your resolutions, consider finding a coach, counselor or mental health professional to give you a hand. ACEP has an energy practitioner directory you may find helpful.

 

You had good reasons to launch into the new year with resolutions, so don’t lose sight of the goodwill, desire for positive change, and belief in a better way of life. You are valuable, worth the effort, and with some focus, determination and finding the right support, you may turn your dream resolutions into sustainable reality.


Author

Lori Chortkoff Hops, PhD, DCEP is a licensed psychologist in Westlake Village, California, USA. She is certified in Comprehensive Energy Psychology and Logosynthesis. Lori is president of ACEP (www.energypsych.org), and is a Reiki master. Learn more about Lori at www.drlorihops.com

By Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd April 9, 2025
After retiring from the military, I conducted individual and group therapy with combat veterans as a clinical social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the VET Center in Warwick, RI. In my work, I've had many experiences showing the power of energy psychology to help heal trauma . One of these amazing stories occurred during my tenure at the VA. Veteran suffers from PTSD A 70-year old Vietnam Veteran suffered for 45 years from chronic PTSD as a result of life-threatening events he endured and injuries he sustained during combat. Let's call him Joe (not his real name). His symptoms included nightmares and waking up profusely sweating every night since he returned from the war 45 years ago. Joe also had insomnia and anger issues. Conventional therapies and medication were not able to alleviate the adverse impact of his trauma. Unfortunately, Joe's experience is common among a vast number of Veterans receiving treatment for PTSD at the VA. Energy psychology resolves trauma-related symptoms In the first energy psychology session, I introduced Joe to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and explained the process and its efficacy. During the next 6 sessions, he tapped on the EFT meridian points for 2-3 rounds on each combat trauma we addressed. While he tapped, I guided him to verbally release related negative emotions. We did this until he no longer experienced any disturbance associated with these challenging events, as determined by muscle testing. The results were inspiring. At the end of six 50-minute sessions, Joe reported that his nightmares and night sweats completely stopped, and he felt more rested, peaceful, and significantly less anxious. Joe was even able to stop taking most of his anxiety and depression medication. His wife said she noticed a huge positive shift in his demeanor. Lasting results Over the next 3 years, Joe used EFT on his own to clear other developmental traumas and negative core beliefs. During this time, he only had four nightmares during one two-week period, which were triggered by watching a war movie. Afterwards, he did not have any recurrence of PTSD symptoms. Joe felt joy that he did not experience previously, and he was more emotionally open and affectionate with his wife. This heart-warming story shows the power of EFT to heal rapidly and effectively, with results that last. It's why I love using it. Going forward What a difference could be made with Veterans and their families if the VA and Department of Defense (DOD) used energy psychology techniques like these! They would be free of the devastating impact of PTSD, have better relationships and an improved quality of life. Many ACEP members have stories of hope and healing. Let’s share them! When we tell our stories, we can help inspire practitioners to adopt energy psychology methods that are powerfully grounded in effective healingwith long-lasting outcomes. Get trained and make a difference Are you a teacher or school employee? If so, get trained to bring powerful energy psychology techniques to your school by enrolling in ACEP’s free Mind Body Tools for Children training. If you are a clinician or stakeholder wanting to offer energy psychology to your community, enroll in ACEP’s free Emotional First Aid training . If you would like to get trained in using Emotional Freedom Techniques with clients, sign up for ACEP’s online training that begins with EFT Professional Skills 1 . Author Ted Blickwedel, LICSW, MSW, MEd, is an ACEP member and recipient of ACEP's 2021 Special Recognition Award. He is a retired Marine, combat veteran, former VA VET Center counselor, VA whistleblower, and author of Broken Promises: Marine Combat Veteran Turns Whistleblower Exposing Compromised Mental Health Care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Photo by RDNE Stock Project
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