New Year's Resolutions - Again!?!
One year ends and another begins and even though we know it's just a number on a calendar we believe it to be so much more. It's a magical date. It's the do-over date. Anything we were unhappy with; our looks or our lifestyle we can now change. All we have to do is make a resolution and pazam - it's done! Is it really just magical thinking? Are we setting ourselves up for failure? Is it just a silly annual habit? Well, I guess that depends your approach. As my friends know, I'm a firm believer in New Year's Resolutions. I spend days thinking about what I did and didn't do and what I want to do. For me it's more like a road map than a resolution. It's a way to get me from point A to point B. Do I always accomplish everything I set out to. NO! That would really be scary. But I also don't feel like I've failed if I don't manage everything on my list. The trick is to be realistic. Are your resolutions real?
Say the past year has been stressful and you've felt anxious and irritated. To resolve to be less stressed isn't going to work. You need to know what makes you stressed and resolve to do something about that. If it's work and you can't quit your job then maybe you can resolve to set boundaries. How often are you going to work overtime? How much work are you going to take home? And reward yourself at the end of the week and the end of a project.I'm a firm believer in rewards. I have big ones for big projects and little one for run of the mill accomplishments. Go to a movie, have coffee with a friend, get a massage. Take a long bath. Get a babysitter. We love our families but sometimes they can make us crazy. Resolve to take a couple of hours off and take time for yourself.
If you'd like to lose weight, what's really stopping you? Do you need help with cooking and meal planning or do you need help with bumping up your activity level. Remember you can always recruit help to keep to your resolutions. With weight issues, a nutritionist or a trainer may be what you need. Or maybe all you need is a friend to walk with everyday, or a yoga buddy.
What do you want for yourself? Be clear and go for it.
It's your life. Make your road map. And make it real!
Have a wonderful, joyful 2012!
Laura |
