Making Resolutions
Do you make resolutions every year that start on January 1st ? I still do. They rarely work, like the resolution I made once with a group of friends to quit drinking on New Year’s Day. We were all completely serious about it – partied till we puked on New Year’s Eve.
After waking on New Year’s Day, we all had Bailey’s in our coffee. So much for that idea.
And I can’t tell you how many times I swore to start a diet on and lose weight, and it failed. Except for last year, now that I think about it. Last year I made up my mind to start a diet, but I didn’t make my starting date on the first day of the year. I had intended it to be the first week, but that fell thru because I needed to go grocery shopping, and I was broke. So I waited a few days.
I was also vague about my diet starting date because my other half tends to sabotage my efforts to lose weight. I don’t think he does it on purpose, but if you tell him you’re starting a diet, and giving up beef, he’ll bring home a side of beef. True story! That happened earlier in the year when I made a point to tell him the exact date I planned on starting my diet.
So I decided to be vague, get what I needed and just start on the diet. He couldn’t do anything to railroad my efforts, and it worked.
What kind of resolution maker are you?
Serious- This resolution maker makes resolutions religiously every year, and make a commitment to their lifestyle changes and goals, and use New Year’s Day as the starting point for their achievements.
Good intentions – This resolution maker who start out with good intentions, but they don’t or can’t follow through and carry on to the end.
On the Fly – This New Year’s resolution maker will make their resolution on the fly. If someone asks them, they’ll make one up.
I’ve done all three.
New Year’s is an excellent time to make lifestyle changes, and make commitments to your goals.
Here are a couple of reasons why:
Mindset – You’re looking at a brand new year. You’re looking at your past history and planning for your future. What should you keep, what should you throw away, what needs to be changed. You probably feel a little optimistic, even if things aren’t perfect in your life.
Support – Everyone else around you is most likely in the same mindset and assessing their lives in the same way, and planning to make changes, even if they’re small changes.
Timeline – Giving yourself a year to accomplish your goals gives you plenty of room to make mistakes, make adjustments and succeed as well.
Choosing Resolutions – Change Your Life
Select New Year’s resolutions that are within your reach. Choosing goals that are big are difficult to achieve in the beginning, and you may lose the confidence you started out with and give up out of frustration. Going with smaller resolutions will help you gain confidence and you will succeed.
Break bigger goals into smaller goals. If you want to lose weight and you have a goal in mind to lose 100 pounds, set a small goal of 10 or 20 pounds for a start. Once you hit the first goal, move on to the second goal.
With the correct goal setting procedures and a good mindset, your New Year’s Resolutions can be a rewarding, successful experience.