Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Keeping a promise to yourself

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

The perfect time for creating Resolutions is the start of the new year . It is a great opportunity to turn a new page, have a fresh start and to turn a new page. Definitely resolutions are much more easier said than done. Like most of us do, most, close to all of us have abandoned our resolution and return back to our old patterns.

Here are some ways of keeping your words to yourself! 

1. Choose a Specific, Realistic Goal

Every year, millions resolve to "lose weight" or "get in shape" during the next year. Instead of selecting such an ambiguous goal, focus on something more concrete that you can realistically set your sights on. For example, you mights commit to losing 10 pounds or running a mini-marathon. Choosing a concrete, achievable goal also gives you the opportunity to plan exactly how you are going to achieve your goal over the course of the year.

2. Pick Just One Resolution

You should pick just one and focus your energies on it rather than spreading yourself too thin among a number of different objectives.


Planning is an essential part of achieving any goal. You should spend some time planning out how you will tackle a major behavior change. You can start by writing down your goal, making a list of things you might do to achieve that goal and noting any obstacles that might stand in your way.

3. Start With Small Steps

Taking on too much is a common reason why so many New Year's Resolutions fail. Dramatically slashing calories, over-doing it at the gym or radically altering your normal behavior are sure-fire ways to derail your plans. Instead, focus on taking tiny steps that will ultimately help you reach your larger goal.


If you've resolved to run a marathon, start out by going for a jog two or three times a week. If you are trying to eat healthier, you can begin with replacing some of your favorite junk foods with food which are more nutritious 

4. Avoid Repeating Past Failures

Another strategy for keeping your New Year's Resolution is to not make the exact same resolution year after year. Ask yourselves, What have prevented you from keeping your resolution in past years? By changing your approach, you will be more likely to see real results this year.

.

5. Remember That Change Is a Process

Those unhealthy habits that you are trying to change probably took years to develop, so how can you expect to change them in just a matter or days, weeks or months? It may take longer than you would like to achieve your goals, but remember that this is not a race to the finish. 

.

6. Don't Let Small Stumbles Bring You Down

Encountering a setback is one of the most common reasons why people give up on their New Year's Resolutions. If you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don't view it as a failure. The path toward your goal is not a straight one, and there are always going to be challenges. Instead, view relapses as learning opportunities.


If you will, write down important information about when the relapse occurred and what might have triggered it. By understanding the challenges you face, you will be better prepared to deal with them in the future

.

7. Get Support from Your Friends and Family

Yes, the buddy system actually works. Having aconcrete support system can help you stay motivated. you could enlist the help of others by joining a group that shares your goal.


8. Keep Working on Your Goals

After dealing with the reality of dragging yourself to the gym at 6 A.M. or gritting your teeth through headaches brought on by nicotine withdrawal, your motivation to keep your New Year's Resolution will probably start to dwindle. When you face such moments, remind yourself of exactly why you are doing this. What do you have to gain by achieving your goal? Find sources of inspiration that will keep you going when times get tough.

Consider keeping a resolution journal, where you can write about your successes and struggles. Write down the reasons why you are working toward your goal so that you can refer to them during times when you feel uninspired and unmotivated. By sticking with it and working on your goal all year long, you can be one of the few able to say that you really did keep your New Year's Resolution.

xoxo,
The Straitsdeal Team

References
American Psychological Association. (2009). "Making your New Year’s resolution stick." Found online at http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx
The Guardian. Found online at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2006/dec/29/psychology.uknews

No comments:

Post a Comment