Make Resolutions That Stick
Posted: Friday, December 31, 2010
by George Stay
Once every year, at the start of every year, we wish all those around us a Happy New Year. Sometimes that is just a courtesy. At other times it has as much depth and meaning as asking "How are you?" when we don’t care to hear the real answer. And yet at other times it is said with a depth and feeling that belies its otherwise common intent.
The new year could bring many changes.
You might get laid off. You might change careers.
You may lose someone you love. You may find the love of your life.
You might earn a degree. You might learn a valuable lesson.
You may suffer a loss in the stock market. You may win the lottery.
You may gain someone’s confidence. You may lose a few pounds.
You may fall prey to some illness. You may rise to the occasion.
You may find faith. You may lose hope.
The return of January 1 raises in many of us a hope for change in our lives, that the coming 365 days are a blank slate onto which we can write any possible development. And so we think about change and changing. We consider how we’d like to make our lives different, better.
We make resolutions.
It is easy, of course, to make resolutions and many people do. They promise to give up smoking, to go on a diet, to become a better person, to save money. They make generalizations that, for their intent, are good. But they are hard to follow. How, for instance, do you plan to become a better person?
So this year, when outlining your resolutions, be more specific. Instead of saying you are going to go on a diet or get healthy, draw up a plan. Decide you will eat a healthy dinner every day. Decide you will read a classic book every month by reading for an hour each night. Save money by joining a couponing group and using coupons regularly. Reconnect with someone you love and stay connected with them.
But make it reasonable. Do not, for instance, resolve to exercise for four hours a day, seven days a week because unless you already are working out for three hours a day, seven days a week, you won’t make it. Don’t vow to read for an hour every night if you know you don’t have an hour of free time in which to read. Set goals that you can reach.
Stretch yourself but don’t break yourself. It is better to set a goal of, say, 30 minutes of exercise two to three days a week and find it easy than to set a goal of 30 minutes of exercise a week for seven days and be burned out in a week or two. You can always add to your resolution as time goes on. If you read for an hour two nights a week and find you can actually do that five, then add the three other nights. You may want to put $100 a week aside, or to save that much in groceries every week, but start smaller and work your way up.
At the same time, don’t be derailed by changes in life. Today you may be able to eat a healthy dinner every night of the week, but changes in family schedule or work might force you to cut back to just two or three nights. Go with that the change and look for opportunities to get healthy at other meals or other times in the year. Emergencies might dip into your savings, but go right back to rebuilding it.
Be diligent but don’t be excessive. If your goal is regular exercise, or to train for a marathon, be sure to include rest in the plan. If you are eating healthy regularly, don’t worry if you go out for a meal at a restaurant and can’t find healthy food.
That applies on a larger scale too. If you resolve to exercise and miss a day, two days, a week, don’t despair and, whatever else you do, don’t quit. Go back and start again, or pick up where you left off.
The goal is to develop a routine, to change how you live and think, to generate new habits. It takes time. If you develop a plan, with short- and long-term goals that are reachable, attainable and reasonable, then by the time the next January 1 rolls around, you will be a different person. And the start of another new year will offer you another 365 days to transform who you are.
Happy New Year!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)It's funny, the new year hasn't really meant that much to me ever before, but this year I loved being part of giving and receiving of good wishes for the year to come. So happy new year to you also, George!As for resolutions, I love "don't be excessive" and "don't despair"!!
You have provided a well-planned calendar for the whole year George. The consistency to follow them is the greatest challenge. Well articulated. Thank you.
DM
I hadn't made any concrete resolutions but there was one thing I decided I should distance myself from and I've already blown it big time. I plan to do the best I can in 2011. All the best to you George. Hope it's a good one!
Good advice George. Personally I think I'll stick with the ol' tried and true, I'm going to try my best to make it to Jan. 2nd. You have a great new year sir.
Interesting article, George, I enjoyed it eventhough I no longer make new years resolutions. When I see I need to change something I do, I try to change regardless of the time of year.
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