Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions hoping to spark some positive change.
The idea that we are NOT where we could be or should be is a thought many people have throughout the year. But somehow the new year puts extra pressure on us to make the changes we weren’t able to in the last year. As if the new year has greater power to move us in the direction of our dreams quicker. We often are determined to change our ways and live up to our full potential in the coming year.
Let’s do it again this year!
The common themes each year include being more active, saving money and learning new things. Chances are, more than a couple of the top ten most common resolutions will look familiar to you from your own lists in times past.
- Exercise more
- Lose weight
- Get organized
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Live life to the fullest
- Save more money / spend less money
- Quit smoking
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Travel more
- Read more
Studies show that if we choose a goal, write it down and tell others about it, then we’re more likely to do it (for a few weeks anyway).
The first week we’re off and running, the second week we skip or miss a day or two. Then we reschedule our “start” for a Monday or postpone our restart for the following month if we’re already too close to the end of the current month! There’s nothing magical about the first of anything, but somehow it just feels right to our minds.
A resolution is:
- A firm decision to do or not to do something.
- The quality of being determined or resolute.
Many people even make resolutions to never make annual resolutions again. Since the truth is that despite the best of intentions, once the glow of a fresh new year wears off, many people struggle to make good on their plans. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 46% of people who make New Year’s resolutions were successful. That means more than half of the people who set a goal for the new year will fail.
But what if you’re in the 46% who succeed? Those are great odds. You’ll achieve more if you try than if you don’t try. Don’t forget, you only fall off a bike when you stop pedaling. As far back as the late 19th century it was determined that many people failed in their endeavors, not because they lacked intelligence or courage, but because they didn’t organize their energies around the objective.
First, you can’t manage what you don’t or won’t measure. We set three month goals and then build realistic action steps that can lead us to the goal. Setting and following these resolutions can improve your ability to reach your better self in the coming year. The new year presents a great opportunity to build a better future for your health and wellness. Self-improvement is a never-ending process and setting resolutions can be a great way to kick-start your journey. But to make sure you can stick with your goals for more than a month, ensure they’re realistic and measurable.
- Focus your goal on what you can become rather than on what you can do. Become healthy, energetic, strong and fit.
- Focus your action steps on what you can do to become that version of you! Set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound action steps to achieve that goal, such as “over the next two weeks, I’ll get up at 6am each morning to add a 30-minute walk on the treadmill on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.”
- Focus on improvement, not perfection, in all areas – especially in the areas where you’re less strong.
- Learn new skills that can support the areas you’re working on. For example, if you’re trying to eat more vegetables, decide to cook at home 70% of the time, collect healthy recipes, take a cooking class or order a meal kit to arrive weekly.
- Buy some new tools that can help you grow, gain confidence and stay motivated as you work towards your goal. Invest in some good kitchen pans, fitness equipment, running shoes or trekking poles.
- Plan to spend more time with those who are like-minded in your pursuit of health and wellness. Join a walking club.
- Celebrate all wins along the way! As you set and achieve an action step for two weeks, reward and reset! Reward yourself with something that continues to build joy in the journey to wellness – new yoga pants, a manicure, a cookbook. Then reset the action step for another two weeks, where after 30 days your reward gets bigger and better – a massage, golf shoes, or a Bosu ball. Keep it going to get a smart watch, a blender or a day trip.
- Learn to positively deal with setbacks and refuse to quit. Quitters never win, and winners never quit. Modify if you need to, but don’t quit. If you struggle, ask for help, fight to find a solution, and restart as often as needed, but don’t wait until next year, the first of the month, or even tomorrow. Do what you can do TODAY.
- Love and respect yourself now as you become a better, healthier, stronger and wiser version of yourself. You’re well worth the time, attention and investment!
- Have fun on the journey to your destination but take the backroads and enjoy life along the way. The interstate may get you there faster, but you sure miss a lot of beautiful scenery along the way.
Care you will love.
First Stop Health providers are here to care for you! You can schedule a visit with our primary care providers, certified diabetes educators and registered dietitians to talk about your health concerns. All our visits are virtual, so you can get care from where you're most comfortable!
