Coming from a turbulent 2011, it is just normal to wish you a happy and prosperous new 2012; it is a fresh start that no one can resist. If you are anything like most people, then you probably have a New Year’s resolution.
From the few people that I have met, several are making them in regards to health: being healthier, quitting smoking/drinking, losing weight, being loyal to their partners or becoming physically fit by increasing some kind of exercise regimen.
Taking some time to sift through what is good and what is not in your life every year’s end definitely leads to positive change. However, many of these same well-intentioned people fail to carry out their resolutions past February or March.
I’ve bought into the idea of resolutions, and have committed myself to some form of self improvement just about every December 31st. Like most mature individuals, I know I am not perfect; however, the crux of a resolution is, after all, personal growth.
We have been told that in order to follow through with a resolution there are a few rules we should heed. Psychologists suggest that a resolution should be simple, as well as realistic but I think many of us have difficulty with both points. How do you know if it’s realistic if you haven’t tried it before?
I have come to believe that change is never simple. It’s hard work and requires diligence on every level of one’s being. It is no small wonder that so many resolutions fail within the first week. Even worse, some studies claim that as high as 85 percent of resolutions fail by the end of January and 96 percent by the end of six months.
Now that is really depressing. But I am convinced it is better to try than to not try at all.
This year, my goal is something that I am fairly certain I will follow through with and be successful with and I believe you can do the same. It’s high time we grow out of this habit of failing to live up to our resolutions.
If everyone was able to follow through all year long we would be on our way to being a calm, fit, healthy, financially responsible, green, people loving society. The psychological impact of a clean slate is often the impetus for people to commit to change in their lives.
Remember you are human and are allowed to make mistakes. Setbacks are probably inevitable, so try not to get so disappointed that you give up on your goals and resolutions before year end. Just keep trying and focus on what you have been doing well.
