New Year's Resolutions
The tradition of celebrating New Years and making New Year's Resolutions dates back more than 4,000 years to the Babylonians who celebrated the new year in late March with the planting of crops. Even though their new year started later, they made New Year’s Resolutions just like we do and they believed that whatever a person did on the first day of the year had an effect all year long.
To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it.
Bunker Hunt |
New Years, no matter what day of the year it is celebrated, is typically a time for looking back and reflecting on the previous year and setting goals for the upcoming year. These goals, referred to as New Year’s Resolutions, are typically made sometime before the first of the year with the intent to follow through at the start of the new year. Often what we vow to improve is related to health, weight, physical appearance, bad habits, occupation and income.
Some common New Year's Resolutions include:
1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save money or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organized
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
-Japanese Proverb |
For some, these resolutions only get as far as the champagne toast on New Year’s Eve. But, those who stay on course and fulfill their resolutions typically do so because they are committed to change in the first place and understand the importance of why change is necessary. They also believe in their ability to change and they concentrate on real results instead of looking for excuses for failure.
If you are determined that this is the year that you’re going to make and keep those new year’s promises, try the following tips to help you get started:
Don’t try everything at once! There's always the temptation with New Year’s Resolutions to make a list of everything you've ever wanted to change about yourself. But, that is an unrealistic approach that rarely leads to success. You'll have better luck narrowing it down to one or two of your top goals than you will tackling a list of fifty items. Take one change at a time and remember, you can always add new resolutions to your list later.
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.
-Unknown |
Put it in writing. Write down your resolution and your plan of action. Stick it up on the fridge, on your computer screen or wherever you know you'll see it so you have a constant reminder of the resolution. You may want to change the wording as time passes and your goal changes.
What Are Others Resolving to Do?
According to an online resolutions support site poll of users,
here are the resolutions people are committing to:
Exercise – 15%
Diet – 12%
Save money – 10%
Be a better person – 10%
Get organized – 7%
Follow dreams – 7%
Quit procrastinating – 6%
Advance career – 5%
Improve self esteem – 5%
Have more fun – 5%
Find love – 4%
Be a better spouse – 4%
Quit smoking – 3%
Travel more – 3%
Volunteer more – 3%
Spend more time with the family – 3%
Quit drinking – 1%
Get a hobby – 1%
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Word it carefully. Try not to think of the resolution as something you must do because it’s what others think you should do or it’s the norm, do something because you want to do it and because it will make you feel better or be a better person. Like “I will spend more time with my family this year” sounds like obligation. Think of it in terms of “this year I will plan more family time by having ‘family night’ once a week” or “I will organize one family activity per weekend.”
Make a plan. Once you know what your resolution is, try to break it down into simple, achievable steps. Nobody accomplishes anything of significance by trying to do it all at once. If your resolution is to lose weight, you may want to break that down into steps that include writing down your current size, weight, activity level and diet and determining what weight/size you would like to achieve (within reason). You might want to take this information to a nutritionist and/or personal trainer or both to have them devise exercise and eating plans that will help you achieve your goals.
If you're not sure where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else.
-Unknown |
Find motivation. Let friends and family members in on your resolution(s) and ask for their advice when you find yourself falling off course. Talk to others who have made similar resolutions or who have already accomplished the same goals. Get online and read up on information that pertains to your resolutions. Sometimes just reading up on a topic can spark ideas of how to better achieve success or to stay on track.
Setting a goal or resolution and actually achieving it requires lots of focus, effort and commitment. Try using these guidelines when formulating your plans for change:
Focus: Focus on one resolution at a time and develop a detailed plan of action for achievement.
Accountability: Designate a friend, mentor or companion for sharing successes and progress and offering support. Have this person hold you accountable for your resolutions.
Persistence: A resolution, once achieved, is an amazing example of hard work and dedication. Persist until your goals are achieved and you will feel great accomplishment and self-worth when you do!
Personal Integrity: When all is said and done, your level of commitment determines your level of success. And, your commitment boils down to two essential tactics: daily action and daily review.
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