Why do New Years’ resolutions very seldom become
reality? I believe it is because most
resolutions are made in the same vein as wishes we make when we blow out our
birthday candles. They are things we would like to have but not necessarily
things we actually believe will happen.
Changes in our lives require changes in our behavior. Very often New Years’ resolutions like
“birthday candle wishes” are things we want but we know that controlling our
own behavior in order to achieve them is difficult for us. We therefore indulge
in the fantasy of pretending that making a “magical” New Years’ resolution will
make the behavior easier for us. Most of us have experienced the disappointment
of this endeavor.
Is it possible to make your New Years’ resolution a
reality? Certainly, but to do so
requires one to evaluate carefully if one is willing to make a behavior
change. If so, make it small. Behavior change is difficult. Be realistic.
The most important thing to consider is that you are not going to make a
behavior change without slipping up.
Give yourself a break Include
in your resolution a plan for recovery after a “slip”. In fact, you could even make recovery after
a “slip” your resolution.
An example of a realistic resolution might be: I will
exercise for 20 minutes three times a week.
If I slip up and do not exercise three times, I will approach the next
week as I did January 1. It will be a
new beginning. My New Years’ resolution
will be to keep beginning over and over again each time I slip up.
Happy New Year to you
and your family and Happy Resolving for 2002.