Don’t make one! What is so magical about January 1st that you must wait until this day to start your journey?
As humans, we make a lot of unwise and questionable choices when the holiday season comes around. We drink too much, eat too much, make a fool of ourselves at our office parties by dancing on table tops to the latest Justin Bieber song… But that is fine and justifiable, because you have made a New Years resolution. As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st (okay… lets be honest… Maybe after nursing that hangover, lets call it afternoon of Jan 1st) you have made a resolution to get fit, drink less, eat better, and get more sleep. Sound familiar?
Lets face it, we have all done it, and probably all forgot about them faster than we forgot who came second in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. In one study, 78% of people did not stick to their New Years resolutions and a staggering 25% of people actually fell off the wagon by the second week of January!
Here are some things you can try to increase your chances of achieving your goals:
– Start now! The moment you decide that there needs to be a change in your life, make that change! Don’t wait until the magical day of January 1st to start.
– Make measurable and achievable goals. Be sure that you can gauge when you are on the right track and when you may need to head in a different direction.
– Plan for set-backs. Keep in mind that we all occasionally lapse in our resolutions. If we respond to these set-backs with negative emotions, we may be more inclined to give up.
– Talk about it. Don’t keep your goals a secret. Tell your friends and family; people who will be there to support you. The best-case scenario is to find a pal who shares the same goals.
– Sacrifice… But not too much. Keep in mind that while you have goals to smash, you also have a life to live. Build your goals accordingly so that you are still able to join your friends for a nice greasy poutine at The Blue Canoe, or meet the boys for a pint at O’hares, without feeling like your entire world has come to an end.
~ Happy Holidays