Every January, many women sit down and make a list of resolutions such as:
“I’ll eat better”
“I’ll lose weight”
“I’ll start saving money”
“I’ll stop drinking/smoking”
“I’ll start exercising”
And the following year, they make the same list, with the same resolutions. This time they vow to “stick with them”. Yet another year passes and those resolutions get visited over and over again in an endless cycle.
Here is why resolutions don’t work and what to do instead.
BIG VS LITTLE
When we think of resolutions we set up big goals. We aim to stop an unhealthy habit immediately. We expect to adopt a new behavior instantly.
Change doesn’t work like that. It is not realistic.
The smaller the steps that you set up, the more successful you will be. Instead of thinking of going to the gym every day, think of going to the gym on Tuesday and write it on your calendar. Setting actionable goals toward a healthy life is an everyday process.
JANUARY HAS NO MAGIC
We tend to think of a new year as a new slate. We think that the magic of January 1 and the magic of a new year will wipe all of our former struggles away, and we will be able to start anew.
But that is not true. That is why most women abandon their resolutions only a few weeks after they set them. They feel like their magic window has closed and they’ve messed up again. They feel disappointed with themselves for not doing better.
The truth is that every day and every moment is a new opportunity. The time to start changing is always NOW, whether it’s January 1, July 29 or December 15.
Change is an ongoing process that happens all the time and the magic is in witnessing your transformation, one step at a time, all year.
“ALL OR NOTHING” BEGONE
The most dangerous attitude is the “all or nothing” attitude. We feel successful when we are walking in a straight line toward our goals without any detours. When we experience a setback, we abandon ship and just give up.
Setbacks and detours are part of the journey. Learning to do what we can and feel pride in what we have accomplished will keep us moving forward toward our goals.
We don’t have to do it perfectly, in fact, we can’t. Life is full of messes. We will make mistakes. We will learn lessons. We will grow, and we need to embrace and celebrate the journey with all of it’s ups and downs.
Remember, your beautiful goals deserve to be accomplished. Your journey may not always be smooth sailing, but by adopting an approach of taking it a small step at a time, making a healthy choice here and now and being OK with imperfections, over time, you will reach your goals with a joyful heart.
Forget About New Year Resolutions,
By Rachel Kieffer
Do This Instead!
December 2016 | ElementsForAHealthierLife.com | 37