It’s Groundhog Day! Today, February 2, Phil, the groundhog, will pop out its head to give us a prediction of how much longer winter will last – six more weeks of bad weather, if he sees his shadow. Although the spectacle receives a lot of traditional hype, Phil’s accuracy depends mostly on if it is sunny or not. The accuracy of the predictions from studies have been ranged from 37-90%, which doesn’t exactly make me want to place a bet, especially since Texas weather is unpredictable as it is – in Austin, it was a high of 78 degrees on Monday and now it’s below freezing. Shaky predictions aside, here’s some advice you can count on.
January has come and gone. How are you keeping up with your resolutions? Did you know people who write goals accomplish 80% more than people who don’t have them? Even if you’ve been unsuccessful in meeting your goals this past month, it shouldn’t keep you from pressing on. One month’s results shouldn’t be your year’s shaky prediction. If you’re having trouble, think about these questions:
1. What obstacles/temptations/circumstances are hindering you from success?
2. Who can support you in reaching your goals?
3. What other steps can/will you take to achieve your goals?
Don’t let one little groundhog shadow deter you from getting what you want. Work towards the outcome you desire!
Fun Groundhog Day Facts from Pennlive.com
-Before being called Phil, he was known as Br’er Groundhog.
-The first Groundhog Day at Gobbler’s Knob was on February 2, 1887.
-Phil traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1986 to meet President Ronald Reagan.
-The average groundhog is 20 inches long and normally weighs from 12 to 15 pounds. Punxsutawney Phil weighs about 20 pounds and is 22 inches long.
-Groundhogs typically live six to eight years. (Except Phil, who — according to the experts — drinks a magical punch every summer during the Groundhog Picnic. The punch gives him seven more years of life.)
-A groundhog can whistle when it is alarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in the spring when they begin courting.
