New Years is almost upon us. A time we all take stock of the year that has past and make resolutions to make next year even better. Unfortunately many of those resolutions end January 1st because we are unrealistic and have not prepared ourselves properly. Let's face it change of any kind is never easy and resolutions often involve giving up something or changing a well entrenched behavior. This year I resolve to pass on my tips for keeping your resolutions beyond January 1st.
1) Know your enemy. If you are giving up something like smoking you first need to know what kind of smoker are you? Are you a chemically-addicted must-have-10 with my morning coffee? If so maybe you need the patch. Are you just a social smoker who smokes with a particular friend? Maybe you need to enlist their aid to quit together or see them a bit less at first.
2) To forgive is divine. Resolutions are so easy to break because we make them black and white. One slip up and we are off the hook. Life is not like that and neither should be your resolutions. Forgive yourself if you slip up knowing that with time and patience your temptation to slip up will decrease.
3) Make a long term/short term plan with goals. Anybody can say they want to lose weight. The question is how much and by when. By setting yourself real goals that you can achieve along the way you will see your progress and be encouraged to keep going.
4) Reward good behavior. It works for kids of all ages including you. Maybe you can set aside what you were spending on cigarettes and buy yourself something frivolous every week to celebrate your success.
5) Avoid the worst temptations. We all have friends who share the same vices we do. If you are trying to give up one of those vices you may need to take a pass on their big party this week. Perhaps instead you can add a new activity like going to a movie that night.
6) Enlist everyone's aid you can. Tell all of the people who are supportive in your life about your plans so that they can encourage you along the way. To often we don't tell them because we don't want to be embarrassed when we fail.
7) Keep a list of all the reasons why you should be making this change. Post pictures of the people who encourage you to stick to it on the fridge, by the bathroom mirror and at your desk.
8) Be proud of yourself for making the choice to change. Punishing yourself for having a bad habit does not help. You are a brave person for taking the first step. Be proud. Remind yourself of the things you can have rather than those you are giving up.
9) Keep it simple. One problem at a time. Trying to make more than one major change at once only adds to the stress and decreases your odds of success.
10) Clean and organize your environment to clear your mind and reduce reminders. If you are quiting smoking driving around in a car full of butts and old packages is not going to help. Clean up your environment and start off with a clean slate. It will help you to keep your mind clear and focused on the task.
Best of luck to all of you who are brave enough to take that first step towards making your life better January 1st. I am among you as I work towards filling up less of my favourite chair. A task which I am certain not to be alone in. Here's hoping we lose weight not resolutions.
Happy New Year
Judy
