New Year’s Resolutions - Doomed to Die - sooner than later?

Well, it is that time again – New Year’s Eve – and I am wondering how many people out there are starting a list of things they want to change in 2014.

Losing the Christmas weight (and the weight of Christmas Past), establishing healthy habits, getting up earlier, being punctual, neater and impressively organized, less drinking and/or smoking, more exercise…

Goodness! It is never more obvious that we are human than at this time of year. Suddenly, all of our shortcomings parade in front of our mind’s eye (and often in front of innocent bystanders).

Mama always says “God is not finished with me yet”. It seems like we are perpetual “construction sites”.

I wonder if we should just charge right into 2014 with a healthy “Devil made me do it” attitude?

But, what if we really want to fix ourselves up? Strive for the best in us? Go for it?

How can we make our noble intentions stick?

First of all, we need to take stock. What is keeping us from being our very best?

Find a place where you can sit and reflect. Have a pen and paper available. Writing your ideas by hand seems to be more effective.

Think about changes and improvements you'd like to make.

These can be about anything. Ask yourself the following questions to get you started and then add questions of your own:

◦           What can I do to improve my health?
Drink more pure water?
Quit smoking? 
Drink less (or no) alcohol?
Avoid unhealthy foods? Avoid all fast food?  Fried foods? Red meat?
Eat fish twice a week? How about more fiber, beans, whole grains? 
Take vitamins each day?
Go to the gym? How often? 
Maybe start off going once a week but increase by one day each month?

◦          What can I do to be a better parent? 

Can you attend a sporting event, school play, recital or other activity each week?

 Can you proofread papers or help with homework?

Can you take your kids on an educational trip over the summer? 
Can you take a weekend and see a historical location or museum? 
You don't have to travel far; it could just be a day trip.

◦       What can I do to be a better friend?

 Make a list of everyone's birthday and address to send cards.

Contact or visit a friend you haven't seen in years.

Are there "friends" you need to get rid of? Are they unhealthy or negative?

◦        What can I do to be more successful at work?
Get up 20 minutes earlier so that I start my day relaxed?
Leave a bit earlier so I get to work on time?
Try to be better than yesterday, every single day?

◦     What can I do to be happier at work?

Learn to say no to the procrastinators and bad time-managers. 

 Don't skip lunch or breaks no matter how busy you are.

Take your vacation days instead of putting the company first.

Get some exercise or be involved in networking during lunchtime.

◦  Consider more external changes in your life, the ways that you can make a difference through activism, awareness raising or promoting a cause. Ask yourself questions such as:

What can I do to improve the world?

 Choose a hybrid or high-mileage car.

How do I get the best gas mileage you can out of the car you have?

How can I reduce?

Am I recycling as much as I can?

 How can I become active?   Volunteer or just recycle a little more.

Look over your list and see what items on it are most important to you. Don't take too long choosing; often it's the things that leap out at you straight away that have the most meaning for you personally.

Make your list of resolutions. Don't make a short list of huge goals. Make a list with many smaller goals. If you need to put down 20 resolutions, go for it!

Break down larger goals into smaller actions. For example: Instead of resolving to lose 30 pounds in the following year, you can resolve to cut out fast food, soft drinks, sugary snacks and drinks, drink more water, and walk three days a week until March, and then gradually add in two days at the gym. Before you know it, your 30 pounds will be gone. Instead of having the 30 pounds goal looming over your head, you can chip away at it by achieving your smaller resolutions. In the long run you'll be much healthier and much more likely to maintain the weight loss as you've formed a new lifestyle pattern instead of a deprivation regime.

Plan daily, weekly and monthly targets.

The long-term goal is something that you are striving for eventually. Something like, “I will lose X inches or X pounds.” In order to get there, you have to keep on putting one foot in front of the other. To stay on track and motivated, set weekly nutrition and exercise goals (again, being realistic). Break down what you have to do each day to reach your weekly objective. Plan for the week on the same day each week so that you can go grocery shopping and get your schedule ready. It is essential that you dedicate some time and energy to creating the plan and thinking about the week’s goals.



Print or write out copies of your resolutions. Save a copy on each computer or electronic device you own, such as your cell phone, tablet, eReader or MP3 player (if it accepts notes). Everywhere!!

◦                Email a copy to your work address.

◦                Make a smaller copy and keep it in your wallet.

◦                Post a copy on the outside of your refrigerator! Use bright paper so it catches your eye and don't let it get hidden behind coupons and artwork.

◦                Post your daily plan to reach your week’s goal somewhere that you can’t miss it. (Best place for me is on the refrigerator door.) If possible, post a copy up at the office or your place of business. Consider sharing your list with an office friend. You'll have that support system everywhere you go.

Track Your Progress

Keep track of each small success. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help motivate you. Keep a journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each even tiny success. Keep checking back to your list daily to keep your eye on the ball.

Never Give Up!

If you have 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.

Don't Be Upset by Setbacks


The old adage in therapy is two steps forward, one step back. The same could be said for New Year's Resolutions, which can often be the most difficult to keep. If you know ahead of time that there are going to be times in which your resolve weakens or you don't live up to a certain step or schedule you've set, it can help when it does happen. It's a part of the process and means nothing more than a temporary setback. Putting such temporary setbacks into their proper perspective can help you move beyond them and put them behind you.

New Year's resolutions are as easy to make as they are to break. This year, start small. Feeling frazzled? Claim 10 minutes for yourself each day, find a quiet place where you can be alone, and write in a journal. Whether you're writing stream of consciousness, sorting through your thoughts and emotions or organizing your daily life, this precious quality time to yourself is bound to be therapeutic. So let it all out!

Sometimes it helps for a person to make a few fun resolutions! How can you upsize the quality of your life and enjoy the process?

I wish you a happy and successful 2014!