We all make New Years Resolutions. Most of them are rubbish and bound to fail. Most come from the heart and are from a deep desire to do better, they also usually fail. Some are critical to our success and yes they are usually in tatters by mid January. Here are the classics and what you can do to give yourself some chance of succeeding.
But before we start.
Resolutions 101
- You’ve gotta write it down. Plus you have got to write it down correctly (see later)
- If you tell others it will make a huge difference as once they know it makes it harder to give up.
- Short list is good (5) long list is just pointless and even Superman(women) could not do it all.
- It has to be a little bit difficult – Must cut toenails is a good idea but not a goal really.
- Get a little notebook for a few cent and track daily what you do on the 5. (that could be a goal – keep track)
So the Classic Resolutions that Fail (with some tips)
1. Lose Weight
Probably the number one with Get Fit. You are overweight, afraid to go near the scales and so you are going to lose half your body weight by end of January. Sorry its not going to happen. You didn’t do it last year and the gym cant even find your details (see later goal)
Here’s a Better Goal
I am going to eat a proper breakfast every day. This goal is better because it is positive. Buy some porridge and make this part of your breakfast. Dump the Special K and the Cornflakes. In a few weeks you will feel better.
2. Get Fit
A close competitor of losing weight and they are actually wrongly first cousins. Exercise will not help you lose weight if you are eating like Rocky before a fight,but exercise will make you feel better. But doomed to failure and Lose Weight and Get Fit meet at the bus stop to Failed Resolutions every January.
What Should I Do So Smart Ass?
Change the goal. Make it a positive. I will walk for 15 minutes 4 times a week. Nothing more. If you exit the door these 4 times I bet you will walk longer and start to enjoy it. In fact stop reading this. Grab a jacket, sombrero (for my sunny climate readers) and go out for 15 minutes. The blog will still be here. Go on, go now!
3. Read More
You are back! Hope you enjoyed your walk. Read more is another classic. You are going to read deep thoughtful books and become an intellectual. If you are not even reading road signs at the moment this is not an achievable goal.
OK Shakespeare hit me with the better goal!
If you are not a regular reader except for PC screens then here are two friends that will help you. The scissors and the printer. When you see an article in a magazine or newspaper copy it or cut it out (make sure nobody has the article in their hands at the time it can get dangerous. If you want to read one of those book things then join the library they are no longer the dusty places of your childhood, have friendly staff and they will order books that they don’t have in stock. Stuff a book into your bag and read it in your spare time.
4. Give up Smoking
Now I have never smoked but I know it is a hard habit to kick. My own mother died of cancer and smoked 60-70 Sweet Afton (untipped cancer sticks) a day. I think she smoked when she slept On her death bed she wanted a cigarette. So it is not easy.
Sorry to hear about that but any ideas?
Nope. Unless you really want to do this from your heart and are willing to endure the pain and hard work its not going to happen. No I do not have a pithy off the cuff tip except for this. Your family, children hate you smoking, you smell when you smoke and when people think of you one of the first associations is cigarettes (I have few photos of my mother without a cigarette in her hand). Think about it but don’t do it for others.
5. Watch Less TV
Oh yeah right, bet you have the TV on right now as you read this. Believe me nobody on their death bed said “I wish I had watched more of X Factor”.
So Mr Two TVs and a Portable what is your direction (pun get it!)?
There is only one answer to watching less TV and that is RECORD. Record your favourite programs and watch them later or in bulk. It removes the advertisements and you can fast forward the boring bits. Go for your 15 minute walk in the saved time (oh you are just after one sorry). Bet you even watch the recording/
6. Catch Up With Friends
It’s a fact with males especially that we do not talk enough with our friends any more in the fast paced lives we lead. But this is again a fuzzy resolution.
Speak Mr Popular Tell All!!!!
Simple – open your phone right now. Call a friend. Say Hi, how about a coffee today? Not a pint that is doomed. Meet for coffee have a chat and make a date for the next coffee. You will be glad you did it and so will your friend.
7. Join a Gym
Yes if you join a gym in January your life will change. Of course it will change. You will be down a slab of cash. The gym owner will be able to change his car and you will be none the better off.
But I have the Lycra tights – what will I do?
If you want to use a gym there are lots that have a pay as you go deal. Try this out first. Go meet with one of their trainers, explain how you have started eating porridge and are walking 4 times a week (I assume that these are rock solid goals now!) and they will show you a simple workout. If by Mid March the receptionist recognises you when you enter the gym then think about paying out the fee.
9. Get Up Earlier and Do More
You are going to rise at 5.30 and greet the day with a yodel and read, get fit, eat healthily and … No you aren’t not a hope. So many people say they will make ‘more use of their hours’ and end up actually getting up later.
So Mr Cock-A-Doodle-Doo what is the options
Everyone has the same ampunt of hours in the day (no I am not going to start a time management rant). Get up 5 minutes earlier tomorrow and open your notebook with your goals and scribble out how you have done. This activity alone will be of benefit. If you haven’t bought the notebook then use a piece of kitchen roll just log it for gawds sake! Tracking progress is important and for those 5 minutes it will help. Try and get up another 5 minutes earlier tomorrow.
10. New Years Resolutions are Crap I don’t believe in them
Correct. The worse time of the year to make a resolutions is 11.59 as crumbs of mince pie are all over your chin and you slurp another beer while huggin your mortal enemy and wish them a Happy New Year. Best to wait till a few days later. Set a reminder in your phone for a weeks time and sit down and set the goals then
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