EACH New Year brings with it introspection. Millions make resolutions, looking back over the past year at accomplishments, and at what still needs to be done. New Year resolutions, though great in theory, usually don’t work out the way they should. By the first week of January, most people give up on them, and by the end of the year, they may not even remember what the resolution was.
There’s very little difference between people who keep their resolutions and those who break them. To be successful, you should know the key things that dramatically increase your chances of success. Stay on track with New Year resolutions that are right and meaningful in order to unlock inner potential and hidden strengths.
The tradition of making such resolutions goes back centuries, and so does the tradition of breaking them. Don’t become a victim of low self-esteem if you have been breaking your resolutions ever since you have been making them. Regaining the sense of control and discover the reasons that arrest your success.
BE REALISTIC: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make it unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favourite dessert again could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable.
PLAN AHEAD: Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be well planned before December 31 arrives.
OUTLINE YOUR PLAN: Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip anything that you don’t want to do or vice versa. This could include calling a friend for help, or practising positive thinking and self-talk.
MAKE A LIST: It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it whenever you think its necessary.
TALK ABOUT IT: Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family who will then be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better. Find a person who can motivate you.
REWARD YOURSELF: This doesn’t mean that if your resolution is to diet, you can eat an entire box of chocolates. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: Note down each small success you make towards your goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help you to be confident and keep you motivated.
According to statistics given on the Internet, 63 per cent people keep their resolutions after two months, and 67pc make three or more resolutions. Most people fail because their resolutions are wishes. Somehow we believe in the magic of renewal, the magic that January 1 will provide us with the knowledge, fortitude and willpower to carry out our resolutions.
Anytime else during the year, when looking to change our life and behaviour, we try to plan out how it may happen. If we are looking for a new job, we write our resume, we plan our strategy. But with New Year resolutions, we plan only for the magic of starting over to help us through. And this is the basic flaw. Until you start working for something, you don’t achieve it. Working hard is what gives you confidence and strength. So go on and ride that bike!
EACH New Year brings with it introspection. Millions make resolutions, looking back over the past year at accomplishments, and at what still needs to be done. New Year resolutions, though great in theory, usually don’t work out the way they should. By the first week of January, most people give up on them, and by the end of the year, they may not even remember what the resolution was.
