I'm not really the type of person that is 'into' New Year's resolutions. I never really have been.
While I may not buy into the New Years buzz, I do like the concept behind the yearly tradition. Looking back into the past and most importantly, into the New Year, it is a time to reflect on the changes that we want or need to make, and resolve to make changes or alterations. It is a time to take a personal stock of who we are as people and how we live our lives.
In my opinion, the idea is good, but the timing is oh so bad.
It has never made any sense to me why someone would wait until Dec. 31 to make a resolution that they have been thinking about since June. Why wouldn't a person start changing when they first decided there was something that needed changed?
And the resolutions themselves? Year-after-year, they are the same. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Eat right. Drink less. Learn something new. Spend more time with family and friends. Enjoy life more. Get organized. Help others more. Be more assertive. Be financially-savvy.
Plus, how many resolutions are actually kept? The hype around the yearly tradition automatically sets them up for failure. The pressure in itself is enough to ensure that it won't work. Forty to 45 percent of adults make New Year's resolutions and out of those resolutions, only 75 percent even make it past the first week. And after that first week, the numbers steadily decline as time goes on.
But there are those people out there, who are really 'into' the New Years tradition. There are people who put a lot of time and thought into their resolutions. And for those that do, here are a few tips from the experts to help you out.
Focus on realistic goals with measurable results. You need to break things down into smaller and more manageable goals so you are continually making progress. Instead of saying that you want to lose 10 pounds in one month, set your goal at losing one to two pounds a week. It will give you a reason to give yourself a pat on the back once in a while and create some additional motivation based on success! Besides, if your goal is too big, you may feel defeated before you even get started.
Act first, be motivated later. People think that they should wait until they are motivated to do something, but it is actually the other way around. Once you initiate even the smallest action, such as walking on a treadmill for 10 minutes, you will pick up motivation as you realize that it really 'isn't all that bad'.
Avoid perfectionist thinking. Nobody is perfect. There may be times when you slip, but it is important to view these setbacks as lessons for growth rather than failure. It is those tiny slipups that allow us to really learn how to change our habit, and how to keep it intact for the long run. It is about setting a goal and making adjustments along the way to reach those goals.
Don't make absolute resolutions. If you do, you are automatically setting yourself up for failure. Instead of saying that you will always eat healthy, try saying that you will eat healthy 90 percent of the time. Most people need a treat once in a while, so give yourself a bit of leeway to do that. It may help keep that resolution in the long run. Even the strictest athletes have 'cheat' treats once in awhile.
Don't keep your resolutions to yourself. Find someone that you can trust to tell your resolutions to. It will help you in the long run, and when you need a little nudge in the right direction later on, you will have someone there to give it to you.
Make goals that are meaningful. Set them according to something you really desire, not something that a family member or society would like to see you do. If you don't have internal rationale, you will be less likely to succeed.
So regardless of whether you are a New Year's resolution-setter or a set-when-you-think-of-it kind of person, wishing you the 'best of efforts' with your resolutions and all of the best in the New Year!
