Resolutions!
A resolution is, according to the dictionary; a firm decision to do or not do something and we tend to make these resolutions at new year.
New Year’s resolutions have existed since the earliest 19th century, and perhaps as far back as the late 17th century. Not only were people making resolutions 200 years ago, however, like us they were also breaking them and using them as an excuse for bad behaviour before the New Year.
How many of us have said whilst having that extra chocolate or glass of wine, ‘last one before the new year.’ We use them as an excuse to indulge.
The most made, and broken New Year resolutions are to lose weight, drink less and exercise more. Of those that make New Year’s resolutions after one week 75% are still successful in keeping it. After two it is 71%.
After one month it is 64% and after six months only 46% of people are sticking to those pledges they made on the 31 December.
Most people blame their failure to fulfil resolutions on a lack of time, resources, or motivation, or a loss of zeal after starting, and many of these resolutions are repeated year after year.
How do I change?
So how do we break this cyclic pattern and keep our December pledge? Here are some tips on how to keep your New Year’s resolution.
1) Be realistic! If you have never run before don’t declare you are going to do a marathon as the surest way to fail is making your goal unattainable!
2) Talk about your resolution. The more people that know about it, the more people can and will hold you accountable!
3) Track your progress. Daily you may not see any sort of change from your resolution, however when you look back you will see the positive affect that those changes are
having.
4) Make a pros and cons list for the resolution. It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time and keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help remembering why you are
doing this.
5) Stick to it. Sounds stupid right but did you know it takes 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality! It isn’t a quick fix so persevere and be patient.
Keep Going
If you have totally run out of steam when it comes to keeping your resolution by mid-February, don’t despair. Start over again! Recommit yourself for 24 hours. You can do anything for 24 hours.
The 24-hour increments will soon build on each other and, before you know it, you will be back on track.
The thing about resolutions is keeping trying and not stopping completely and saying, ‘I will try again next year’ and
acknowledging the break and starting again. Perseverance is the key.
Weekly Wellbeing Tip
Why not take a trip down memory lane and look at old photos?
