You may as well resolve to fail if you’ve set a New Year’s resolution for 2017.
I’m not trying to be a pessimist, just a realist, as statistics show only about eight per cent of people actually stick to their resolutions.
It’s unfortunate as the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start new routines or actions.
But change is difficult for anyone, and that’s why we often resort back to what we know and what is comfortable.
So don’t feel bad if you realize you’re only a week into January and you’ve already abandoned your goal. What you can do is resolve to keep trying. Like anything, we are rarely successful the first time. It takes multiple attempts to master anything.
So don’t give up just yet. Try, try again.
You also have be realistic with your goals. Obviously resolving for world peace or to lose 100 pounds are tall orders. Instead, why not aim for something a little more attainable - like brightening one person’s day each week or fitting back into your favourite jeans.
And like any goals, they can change and evolve as you go.
Maybe your workout goal is going so well that you can fit into those pants sooner than expected therefore you further resolve to lose an extra inch.
Or, adversely, life happens and stress gets the better of your eating habits and exercise routine (or lack thereof). So you adjust your resolution to give you more time to reach your goal.
Either way, don’t give up on resolutions. We can all strive to be better in life.
If the typical losing weight and quitting smoking resolutions don’t apply (or interest you), here’s a list of options for improvement:
- Compliment your spouse (or a friend) every day
- Compliment yourself every day
- Find the positives in every situation
- Be grateful for what you have
- Show compassion
- Do something nice for yourself
- Do something nice for someone else
- Drink more water
- Appreciate the little things
- Talk less and listen more
- Love deeper
- Laugh louder
- Smile larger
- Slow down
- Stress less
- Spend more time outdoors
- Spend less time on a screen
- Share your bounty
- Share your knowledge
- Try something new
- Call an old friend
- Learn from mistakes
- Never give up