January has come and gone, has your New Year's Resolution gone as well. At one time or another we have all made resolutions that we did not sustain. Some of us have never stayed committed to our resolutions. Why is that? Let's explore why.
Some common resolutions are to lose weight, manage debt, save money, get a better job, get fit, eat right, get a better education, and reduce stress. So these all sound pretty good. So why are we failing? We fail because our resolutions are often set up for failure. The top 3 resolutions for 2010 were: Get out of debt or save money, lose weight, and develop a healthy habit such as exercise or eating better. Notice anything that these all have in common? There are three main reasons we fail:
The first reason is that our resolutions are too broad. They are good in theory, but they do not propel us into action. Instead they are overwhelming and cause burn out before even beginning. In order to achieve our goals we need to make them specific and concrete like…
*I will jog for 30 minutes during my lunch break on Wednesdays and Fridays.
*I will tell my spouse I love you at least once every day.
*I will drink water instead of soda with my dinner, at least four times a week.
Being specific helps us stay focused.
The second reason people fail is because they bite off more than they can chew. We tend to go full blast
and burn out after a few weeks. Instead, start off with a list of five things you want to change. Start with number one; master it, and then move on to number two. This will help you to avoid burn out and feeling overwhelmed.
Lastly, some of us fail simply because we need support someone to hold us accountable. You can find a buddy or seek professional help. Our office has a great system called Creating Wellness. Our Wellness Coach, Linda Brode, helps our patients in any area of life they need support. She will give you that accountability you need, as well as coach you in whatever area you are looking to improve on.
Don't forget to set specific goals for what you will do, when you will do it, the specific outcomes you are looking for and the specific time lines for them.
These tips will help you stay committed for 2011 and for the rest of your life!!!!!
