The question I most often hear after the holidays is “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” This is often the only time of year we assess our lives and make goals for our future. We put so much pressure on a goal or lifestyle fixed on this date of January 1st. While the new year does bring a fresh beginning, trying to aspire to be or do all the things we said would do the year before often leads to overwhelm and early defeat. This is how we end up with the same goals each new year, and before we know it, we have been ‘working on’ something for a decade. By waiting for the new year to set life goals, we rob ourselves of changes we could be making now.
At least here in the U.S., I would venture to say that the number one New Year’s resolution would have something to do with becoming healthier. Whether that’s eating better, exercising, focusing on hydration, building muscles, or all of the above we love to start the new year ‘dieting’. Often people only last an average of two weeks. We think that just because we miss one workout, or eat one cookie that we have ‘blown it’ and should give up. Real change takes time, dedication, and not throwing in the towel when we make a mistake. Life is full of mistakes, some small, some large, but could you imagine if you gave up every time a mistake took place?
If a slipup happens, we can acknowledge the error, make a plan to prevent the error from occurring again, and pick back up where we left off. This may be difficult the first few times, but it will get easier! We so often sit with our guilt and shame of failing that it paralyzes us from moving forward. Have the courage to pick back up and keep your commitment to yourself, for yourself. If you choose this ever-popular resolution, just remember that one or two mistakes doesn’t constitute giving up!
Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t set any goals come New Year, or that we are all doomed to fail if we diet. The New Year is a good reminder for us to take a look at what we could be doing differently or better in our lives. Just keep in mind if picking a New Year’s resolution, that it shouldn’t be too complicated, and should be practiced or performed every day. Be honest with yourself and your progress even if it’s slow at first. Hold yourself accountable for your choices. That’s how you will build momentum and produce real and positive change! You can make all the resolutions you’d like, but without having the real desire to change for yourself, your efforts may be in vain. Just remember that the best time to enable real change, is when you’re ready, not just because the calendar says so.
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