It's hard not to get the resolution urge on New Years Day. There's that sense of renewal, of rebirth and (for me) the guilty awareness that I ate my own weight in chocolate during the holidays. Sure, last year's resolutions didn't make it past January 5th. But hey, this year is going to be different! Right?
Most of us don't have a clue how to make a reasonable resolution, which is why most of us fail to keep the ones we make. We set high goals for ourselves, and then wonder why we never reach them.
I reign as the undisputed queen of the broken resolution. Lose a few pounds. Exercise. Relax. Take time for me myself and I. They all failed, and not because I wasn't sincere when I made them. I'd say it, I'd mean it, I'd even write it down. But, within a week the treadmill was gathering dust in the closet, the diet books were sitting on the shelf and I was "super-mom-career-woman" again, grabbing my cape and neglecting time for self.
"Resolution" comes from the word "resolve," meaning to make up one's mind or decide firmly. There's something about a new year and a fresh start. It's a powerful feeling to know you have a new year ahead of you and you can choose what to do with it. But some people falter because they don't make plans for dealing with temptations. Here are some ideas that may help you in 2008:
* Form a support system of friends and family who will cheer you on and challenge you to stick to your goals. Steer clear of the spirit-killers who don't have your best interests at heart.
* Think positive! Counter those negative ideas, such as "I'll never succeed," with positive thoughts: "Today I made some progress!"
* Surround yourself with people and situations that encourage good habits. Join a support group. Ask a friend to be your exercise partner.
* Give yourself rewards and pats on the back for your progress.
* Please ladies: If you backslide one day, don't throw in the towel and give up 'til next year! Dust yourself off, and get back on track. As the song goes, "we fall down, but we get up."
The most important secret to keeping those New Year's resolutions is to take the process of change one day at a time. Big changes begin with small steps. Do just a little bit to get going and soon you'll feel the benefits of the change, which can lead to long-term, healthy habits that last far beyond New Year's Day.
