What’s It Going To Be?

Now is the time to start planning your New Year’s resolution, which is a scary thought for many.  This is probably because it requires commitment, something most of us fear, but all you’re really doing is committing to yourself.  It’s about reforming a habit – usually a bad one, and the change will hopefully lead to a positive lifestyle.

When I hear people talking about resolutions they usually involve a socio-centric perspective, which includes donating money to the poor (God forbid you donate your time), becoming more assertive (which doesn't happen overnight) or making a choice to be financially responsible (good luck with that one considering today’s economic woes).

The bottom line – a New Year’s resolution is nothing more than planning. We make plans for improving our lives in order to create stability, which we hope will bring us greater happiness.

If you’re smart you’ll leave the drama out of the process. It’s important to have clearly crafted goals that will insure a positive outcome. In other words, this time next year you can say, “I did it! I kept my New Year’s resolution, and I am going strong.” I wish you luck, but then again it’s not about luck. It’s more about due diligence and simply doing your part, which requires you to stay focused and follow through.  See how simple it is?

When creating resolutions aim low, because if you set the bar too high you’ll fail, and that will only bring doom, gloom and a big boom to your self-esteem.  Don’t overload yourself as so many do.  Choose one healthy, strong, solid resolution that will not be too easy to achieve because you do want a challenge… Yes?!  I guarantee challenges improve our self-esteem and will definitely put a bit more pep in your step.

Hopefully, you’ll share your resolution with others because doing so will help you not want to disappoint your family, friends, colleagues, etc., and at the same time others might offer you support, which will aid in you making better choices.  Depending on the type of resolution you might want to reward yourself along the way.

As I’ve learned a long time ago, New Year’s resolutions are not for the young, because I question their willpower, but by all means – give it your best shot and, as I often say, practice makes perfect.

Young adults often have good intentions, but it really is harder to focus and stay committed to such a feat because there is much going on at this stage of life (hopefully, that includes school, work, hobbies, quality friends, etc.), and I would factor peer pressure into the mix too.

I believe as we get older and develop, New Year’s resolutions are in some ways a means of correcting our past and at the same time a mandate for us to be better planners, always taking into consideration our mistakes, which are the tools that help guide us to real resolutions that will improve our lives.
 

I feel like I have been practicing my entire life for my New Year’s resolution. Yes, I have one! I’ve had it ever since childhood, and only this year have I realized the significance of it and how important it is for me to achieve, now more than ever. It’s a riddle to you, but oxygen for me. It is something I have never had, but always wanted. Do you think you know what it is, dear friends?  (I preach one resolution, but I’m going for two, and my second relates to love.)

The best resolutions are those that involve reducing stress, eating healthier, exercising more and spending quality time with friends.  Having more than one can prove challenging, making your task even more daunting and next to impossible to achieve.  Your chances will improve if you choose one. Time is running out. What’s it going to be?

And, for the resolution naysayers, resolutions are nothing more than good intentions.  See it as that, and all will be fine.  Change because you want to, because you need to, because it’s the right thing for you, and not out of someone else’s expectations.

As always, find your joy.  Cheers! – paerki