Why make resolutions for the new year?
New year’s resolutions seem to be a natural way to end an old year and welcome in the new. As the celebrations wind down, what do you decide for the new year? I abandoned making resolutions years ago.
Popular new year’s resolutions are typically things we want to change in ourselves or our lives, and often noble things to pursue. But we go after grand visions, trying to make life altering changes in a statement. To see how effective this approach is, just go to the gym for the first few weeks in the new year. First week you’ll find a full gym, but each week after that you’ll find the number of people settles back to normal.
Research shows that setting goals/making resolutions makes us 10 times more likely to achieve them. That’s good, right? Yes, but just setting the goal isn’t enough. For many of the things we want to achieve (losing weight, saving money, eating right, being more organized, etc.) we’re talking about changing habits. Changing a habit means we need to make the right choices every day, until it feels natural.
I’m still not a fan of new year’s resolutions, but I am a fan of setting goals and making them explicit. Whether you’re setting yourself goals or making a new year’s resolutions – make them explicit.
My goals (not just for the new year) include:
- Make better food choices through packing lunches and avoiding eating out (plus it saves money)
- Better monitor my blood sugar (at least twice daily)
- Get at least 40 minutes of exercise at least 4 times a week
I intentionally left off “losing weight” or “getting down to x pounds”. I did it on purpose. Making better food choices and getting exercise will take care of my weight. The last thing I want to do is pick a random weight I want reach a certain number of days/months/years. I’ve tried it and found it kills my motivation, so I’ve focused my goals on changing the habits/behaviors that influence it. For me this is about relearning my habits to make it a new way of life.
What are your goals/resolutions?
