Keeping Your New Year's Resolution
Three Important Questions to get you through this Year and Beyond
New Year's resolutions are often challenging to keep. By reminding yourself of these three questions, you will be better able to achieve the results you desire.
New Year's Resolutions are the most readily made and often the most easily broken promises. Whether you want to lose weight, pay off your debts, quit smoking or many other aims, asking yourself three key questions can help focus your efforts. Remembering your reasons, your plan and your back-up approach in case of setbacks will increase your likelihood of making successful, long-term resolutions.
Why am I Making a Resolution?
For thousands of years, in many civilizations from the Sumerians to the Romans, people have wanted to start the new year off on the right foot. Symbolically speaking, January 1st is a powerful time to “ask big questions” about your life: if you're happy with the direction it's going, if your health, personal habits, relationship, financial picture, or the size of your ecological footprint could be improved.
You desire change. When the struggle to keep the resolution becomes a challenge, remember why you made this promise in the first place. You wanted to see yourself in a different place at the end of the year (and beyond!) than you were at the beginning.
How will I Keep this Resolution?
First of all, don't wait until the last minute and pick your resolution on impulse or when you're in a negative frame of mind. Plan ahead so you start the new year with a set goal along with the steps through which you will attain it. Larry LaMotte, a life coach, wisely reminds us: “Trying to be what you're not is a waste of time.” Resolving to become a marathon runner when you've never even jogged around the block is more than likely doomed to failure. So keep your goals realistic, small and achievable.
If you want to lose weight, resolve to do so 10 pounds at a time. Write down a list of healthy foods you enjoy eating according to your required caloric intake. Also list a range of sensible and fun exercises you can do: from walking instead of driving, to swimming, dancing or ice skating. Concentrate on the positive outcomes, not just in terms of lower weight, but a rise in energy, glowing skin, and well-functioning organs and muscles. Don't focus on what you can't have but on what you can now accomplish that you couldn't before.
What will I do if I Break the Resolution?
Instead of thinking you're going to quit doing something for life or that if you fail then you should never bother to try again, remember that you're human! According to statistics, those who keep their resolutions for “at least two years report an average of 14 slips or setbacks during that time.” These slips didn't stop them from continuing to fulfill their resolution.
Have a plan for these setbacks. If you suddenly start gorging on chocolate cake, create solutions beforehand to get you through this time. Call a friend, eat some carrots, jump back on that treadmill, write in your journal. Find a way of stopping the behavior that's undermining your resolution. Don't blame or guilt yourself. Just return to the plan and keep going. The end result is important in making a resolution, but the process is just as essential.
