New Year's Resolutions: Yes or No?
How to Manage a New Year's Tradition You Just Can't Give Up!
Dec 13, 2008
Once again we approach the time of year when we contemplate another round of New Year resolutions. Alas, getting rid of the guilt associated with our unfulfilled expectations from last year’s resolutions may still be upon us! If you consider resolutions to be a New Year’s tradition you just can’t give up, at least do your best to make it as painless as possible!
The Most Common New Year’s Resolutions
Keeping those New Year’s resolutions requires a certain determination – a pledge bolstered by a personal resolve to ourselves to overcome a problem, improve our quality of life or simply change something in our environment. Just a few of the most common New Year’s resolutions include:
- Stop smoking
- Lose weight
- Get out of debt
- Reduce stress
- Change jobs
- Go back to school
The new year offers a chance to reassess where you are in your life, and provides an opportunity to make positive changes. Before you begin to formulate your list, be thoughtful regarding what you’re choosing to change, why, and how. Avoid making resolutions that are solely for the benefit of others, and give some thought to the realities of what you’re going to be asking of yourself.
What Makes a Successful New Year’s Resolution?
How can you increase your chances of meeting challenges you are determined overcome? Here are some tips for goal setting for 2009:
Give Yourself a Break: This year, let your New Year’s resolutions serve as an affirmation of what you’ve already accomplished. Think back over the past year, and make a list of all the positives: goals you’ve met, whether large or small, that have changed or improved your life. No matter how many challenges you may have faced, everyone can glean something positive from their experiences and resolve to build or improve upon those existing positives.
Be Realistic: Don’t set goals or challenges you know you will never reach. Approach them with a plan of how you can succeed on a day-to-day basis, and how they can realistically fit into your life. Try making a complete list of that you want to accomplish and then pick just one or two items from that list – it will help to make your New Year’s goal setting easier.
Use Specificity: Be detailed in your goal setting. Instead of saying, “I’m going to eat better, exercise more and lose weight this year,” give yourself a target of a certain number of pounds that is within the realm of possibility. Take time to determine a timeline, benchmarks, and a plan of action of how to get there.
Keep it Real: Don’t file your list away where it will gather dust until next year! Make a note on your calendar to review it periodically…once a week, monthly, or daily if it’s a health goal. Just touching base with it briefly will keep it fresh in your mind and let you see your progress throughout the year.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the progress you hoped for. Make your best effort, remain positive, and stay focused on your journey, no matter how far away the destination may seem. And remember – when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, there’s always next
