Making resolutions is easy, but keeping them can be
difficult
A glass of champagne, a kiss at midnight and a promise to make a
major lifestyle change
– these are icons of a modern New Year’s holiday.
But New Year’s resolutions are eagerly made and often easily
broken. Approximately 70 percent of the world’s population makes
resolutions at New Year’s and more than half of those break their
resolutions within two months, according to Nowshade Kabir, an
author for the UGN article Web site (www.user-groups.net).
Making resolutions is easy, but keeping them can be difficult
A glass of champagne, a kiss at midnight and a promise to make a major lifestyle change – these are icons of a modern New Year’s holiday.
But New Year’s resolutions are eagerly made and often easily broken. Approximately 70 percent of the world’s population makes resolutions at New Year’s and more than half of those break their resolutions within two months, according to Nowshade Kabir, an author for the UGN article Web site (www.user-groups.net).
There are things people can do, however, to improve the chances of achieving their goals. The Web site Suite101 offers several tips on keeping New Year’s resolutions and personal goals. These tips include:
1. Avoid making too many resolutions. Since most resolutions are an attempt to change existing bad habits, and most bad habits did not appear overnight, it is foolish to think one can get rid of them quickly. Concentrate on one or two. A long list can be discouraging to even the most motivated individuals.
2. Make resolutions as specific as possible. Think about the steps necessary to accomplish a resolution. Being vague can lead to failure. One example, according to Suite101, is the resolution to quit smoking. It is not enough to say “I want to quit;” instead, the resolution should be “I plan to quit using a nicotine patch.” The more thought out a resolution is, the better chance it has of succeeding.
3. Have your mind set. The excitement of a New Year’s celebration often causes individuals to make a resolution without thinking it through. The biggest obstacle to achieving any goal is preparing mentally for the challenge.
4. Allow for the occasional backslide. No one is perfect, so be prepared for slip-ups. This is especially true for those trying to lose weight or eat healthier. Count on having a day where passing up that Friday donut might feel impossible. Feeling OK about giving into an occasional craving allows individuals to avoid feeling they are incapable of keeping a goal.
5. Have a support group. Everyone needs a friend, and a shoulder to lean on while making major lifestyle changes can only help.
The most important thing to remember is that a New Year’s resolution is something intended to be accomplished gradually in a year’s time. To become a part of one’s daily life, resolutions need to be slowly introduced and allowed to form as a good habit. Celebrate each milestone on the way to accomplishing the goal and don’t get down about the occasional slip-up.
