• Exercise more.
• Eat healthier.
• Lose weight.
• Quit smoking and/or reduce alcohol intake.
• Learn something new.
Interestingly, in Europe (again, according to my AI chatbot), quitting smoking and/or alcohol intake was replaced with travel more. I got curious and asked about Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and noticed the list changed slightly to replacing travel more with saving money, and replacing the smoking/alcohol reduction with spending more time with family.
Of course I must acknowledge the vast cultural and societal differences when referring to an entire continent, but it is interesting to note that only the United States listed eliminating toxins that we voluntarily ingest as a top priority.
All lists identified health and fitness as the No. 1 resolution. And looking at the American list, the first four resolutions are tied to the same goal. If we reduce tobacco and alcohol, eat healthier and exercise, losing weight will happen automatically.
We all have the best intentions when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, but life has a way of tossing us curve balls. Here are some strategies for bouncing back when the motivation begins to wane:
• Set realistic goals and write them down.
• Find an accountability partner.
• Track your progress.
• Don’t beat yourself up over a setback.
• Celebrate small wins.
For me, I’ve learned to narrow it down to one specific “to do” each day that moves me toward my ultimate goal. For example, a few years ago, I wanted to cut back on alcohol intake. I harnessed the energy that comes with ringing in the new year – the power of feeling, and for about 2-3 weeks actually believing, that “This will be the year!” and started out with Dry January. I made it without a blip for approximately 3 weeks. Then, some random excuse for a party presented itself, and the abstinence streak ended. But at the end of the month, had I not attempted Dry January, I likely would not have paid attention to how often I enjoyed a drink, and it would have been much more often. Small victory. Since that time, I’ve significantly cut back on casual drinking, because abstaining for a time helped me see the benefits to my health and wellbeing that were undeniable!
Whatever your goals, I say GO FOR IT! On January 1, with the knowledge tucked in the back of your mind that the motivation will diminish, and an obstacle will present itself. Have a plan, and if you get off course, right the ship as soon as you can. You did not fail. You knew something would come along. There it was. There it goes. Back on track. Or introduce another resolution.
Last year, I tried having four resolutions, one for each quarter. And I allowed myself to let go of the previous resolution to move forward. It was moderately successful. Introducing a new improvement goal every three months allows for four “honeymoon” periods per year. We all love to start a new endeavor. It’s endurance that is the real challenge. So having four different goals introduced throughout the year was fun!
Reflect back on your own resolutions and behavior patterns over the past five to 10 years. Have any of your goals become habits, if even just a bit? Progress!
Again, I say, GO FOR IT! Setting a goal or two and sticking to it even a little bit still moves you in a positive direction. Ride the waves of motivation as they occur, and go with the flow when that wave occasionally crashes. We’ve got this!
I’ve been working on my novel for the last five years, one sentence at a time…. ;-)