MAKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS HAPPEN

BY: FITZ-GEORGE RATTRAY

If what we have heard repeatedly is true, 8 out of 10 of you reading this article who made new year’s resolutions have failed to maintain it, or will fail very soon.

The sad truth is, new year’s resolutions matter. The better parts of you objectively made a promise of change.  You recognized the need for change and hoped that the fresh new-year would be the motivation you need, but, alas, it is not.

THERE IS HOPE

There are a few techniques to restart your resolutions. I don’t want you to miss any of them, so I will keep it clear.

1. Step away from the new-year pressure, take your time.  The holidays are demanding, and the new-year is absolute.  Take the rest of January to assess what you really want, and make sure your resolution isn’t:
   1. Too rigid or sudden
   1. Without sufficient support
   1. Too lofty and impractical
2. Write down not just what you want to change, but why. This will come in handy in those more challenging hours.
3. Change your perspective, think of your resolutions as goals, or a series of goals if necessary, change is, after all, a journey.
4. Don’t overload yourself, for example, if you want to drink more water, carry an extra bottle each day. If you want to lose 50 pounds this year, think of losing 5 pounds, then the next 5 and so on.
5. Get help, a friend, or a professional coach. We get more done with support, company and answerability.

LIFESTYLE CHANGE IS KEY

It is important that you think of changes as lifestyle based, instead of performance or outcome based. Instead of thinking, I am going to go to the gym and put on muscle, lose 100 pounds or save thousands of dollars, do this…Be the person who works out consistently, no matter how simple your routine is, be the person who plans their meals each day or be the person who saves ¼ of their earnings.  Don’t force it, literally just become the change you want to be.

As your resolve begins to weaken, and it will, strengthen your commitment by re-addressing your reasons for wanting this change, and be kind to yourself. Remember, lifestyle changes, not just performance and outcomes.

Remember, a new year’s resolution without “specific goals” is hoping, and hoping, without a plan is only wishing.  Outline your workable action plans and how you will implement them. Find a partner, coach or any other support and the make the changes the best parts of you know you deserve.