No More New Year’s Resolutions
On December 17, 2009 in Thought for the Day
Gym and health club memberships skyrocket for the month of January. Then most of the new members never show up again.
New books are bought with a commitment to spend one hour a day reading and learning. Most of the books move from the night table, to the desk, to the back of the closet – unread.
All the junk food in the house is culled together on the kitchen counter, then thrown into the trash with a commitment to never allow it back in the house. A week later, the fresh fruit is gone and the cookies are back.
Most of us feel pressure to make big changes at the beginning of the year – to end bad habits, live better, be a better partner, spouse or parent, read more, make a difference, etc. The resolution process is noble but the changes we look for are too significant all at once. And most people wait to January 1 to start. Why wait?
This year, throw resolutions out the window. Instead, create a weekly “little bit better� plan. Each week, identify one thing you could make a little bit better. Small improvements are more doable than large ones. So, if health is a focus, eliminate dessert from dinner or the after dinner snack. When you have mastered this, commit to eating 5 pieces of fruit a week. When you do this, add something else.
Small steps. Small successes. Gradual changes in behavior. Easier to do. More successful in the long-term. Big changes are daunting. All of us can do a “little bit better.�
So, think about something that you need to work on to be better. Then do just a bit. Celebrate when you achieve it, then add a bit more. Soon, you’ll look at your progress and realize you can handle anything.
May you have a new year that is always a “little bit better.�
For more information see www.LiveFiredUp.com.
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