Does anyone even make resolutions today? That’s what went through my mind as I wrote the title. Mostly news or talk shows talk about them, and we all have friends who say they do, but do they achieve them?
Let’s face facts, resolutions mean change. As earthly walkers, we hate change. It messes with our routine, traps us or makes us feel like we don’t live up to everyone else. Here are a couple things to think about when making a resolution this year and trying to keep them.
First of all, let’s be real, we all have changes we should make. So should we? Yes, but let’s explore how to be more successful with our changes. The goal must be something that’s important enough to us that we want to change.
–Be realistic with our goal, but the bar is high enough to stretch us. Realistic is very important when setting our goal; it shouldn’t be too easy or too difficult. If too easy we get bored, if too hard we’ll get frustrated and quit. It should be something that we can stretch or increase as we proceed.
–Make it a habit. We are creatures of habit. Our new routine should be added to our to-do list or calendar on the days we expect to work on it. Once we make the change and get passed the 2nd or 3rd time doing the task, experts tell us it is beginning to be a habit for us.
–Make yourself accountable by sharing with close friends or family. We don’t have to tell everyone we meet or put it on Facebook, but we need people important to us to know…as much for support as anything.
–Research. Do some quick research as to pitfalls and benefits of your goal. Simply google those terms – not for discouragement but to keep it real. Use the resources we have available as aids.
–Celebrate small successes. If it’s important to do, track your efforts and know goal achievement levels. Set a treat or gift when you hit your main goal consistent with our mission.
Small life changes are what a lot of coaches talk about as opposed to huge change. Resolutions and the success of keeping them are reliant on one thing… getting started. We are capable of making the resolution and keeping it. We don’t need to live up to everyone else. Remember, most of them didn’t even set one.