Resolutions: Not Just for the New Year!

Daylight savings is one of the many signs that we’re well into the New Year. Many of us made resolutions about things we would like to accomplish, such as losing weight, being in a new relationship, making more money or changing an old habit. However, it’s been proven many times over that most people don’t stick to their resolutions—and many revert back to their old patterns and behaviors within a very short period of time.

Your attitude and “self-talk” around your resolutions play a big part in your success. If your goal is to lose weight, for example, your plan might include going on a diet, restricting your calories and exercising more. However, if you start the process by thinking about how much you hate diets, and are resentful that you can’t eat the foods you want, angry that you have to exercise, and you grumble all the way to the gym, your chances of success won’t be very good. It won’t be long before you get discouraged and give up altogether.

On the other hand, if you start off with a positive attitude, wanting to give yourself the gift of health, have more energy to enjoy the things you love to do, and live a healthy lifestyle, you will then make choices that will create health in your life and help you successfully reach your goal.

Pay attention to the things you say to yourself about the resolutions you have made. It is a small, yet powerful and energetic shift to go from “I have to lose some weight” to “I choose to be healthy.”

Resolutions often fail because we try to do them on our own, without a support system in place. It’s helpful to be held accountable by someone else, someone who encourages us to stay on track. Find a willing, enthusiastic partner you can check in with at prearranged times each day, or each week, for feedback and positive reinforcement. Your spouse, a friend, a coworker, a relative, or even your kids can play a part in helping you stick to the plan you have committed to.

Sometimes when we slip or fail to live up to our expectations, we throw in the towel and give up altogether. A setback does not equal failure. It means you have an opportunity to reexamine what happened, and to observe what works and what doesn’t. If you stay open and flexible, then you won’t judge yourself and beat yourself up every time you think you’ve messed up. Think about what happened, and think about how you can do better next time. If need be, you might want to change direction and try a different approach. Give yourself permission to be flexible.

Remember: resolutions aren’t just for January. Apply the same principals to whatever goals you have set for yourself throughout the year.

It’s the journey—not the destination—that teaches us who we are, what we are made of, and what we are here to learn. Enjoy the process of making resolutions and what it can open up for you.

Posted in Articles on Life Coaching