This Year, Do What Makes You Happy

A new year is coming upon us. Some are sad to see this one go, and others are ready to leap into a new year, and have a fresh start. With a new year always comes conversations about resolutions. How successful have you been with making new year's resolutions in the past? Are you planning on making one again this year? I recently read that about 8% of the New Year's resolutions that are made are actually achieved. Maybe this is why so many have given up on making them. I think there are a lot of factors that influence or success or lack there of, including what we choose, how we go about making resolutions and working on them, and how we might inadvertently sabotage our own efforts. So, here are some things to consider when choosing a new year's resolution.

1) What makes you happy, and what do you feel really passionate about doing? Choose this for your resolution. When you feel passionate about something, you are more likely to invest your time and effort into it. Often people choose things that they feel they "should" be doing rather than what they actually want for themselves.
2) Join others who have chosen the same goal. Having social support to carry something through can increase the likelihood of achieving your goals.
3) Break your resolution down into small attainable goals. Write the goals down, check them off and celebrate their completion. When we create too much change too fast, our brain becomes stressed and resistant, so take it slow and steady, and remember to celebrate your efforts.
4) View your resolution as a journey, allow yourself the flexibility to change your pace and route as needed. If you wander off your original path, decide if you want to get back on it or if you prefer to change direction.

For more thoughts on resolutions, read my past article Savoring Life Once Again.
Also, check out my New Year, New You Program

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