New Year's Resolutions - Keeping them Real
It is, once again, that time of year where many people commit themselves to New Year's resolutions - as I have done myself in many previous years. I've heard some good ones so far. One of my friends has committed to not smoking indoors - in order to cut down their smoking. Partially effective in the winter - not so much in the summer!
We all have the best of intentions when we make such commitments. However, many such resolutions are unrealistic within current models of the world and will just lead to failure, disillusionment and guilt. This will will result in many people paying attention to the voice within that says how hopeless they are and that's not too nice. When undertaking such lifestyle changes it is important to have enough leverage to sustain the process. For one friend it was a simple comment about how unpleasant he smelled after smoking - put to him in less polite terminology by another friend of mine. This one remark created an instant smoking cessation - which has now been the case for over two years.
In my case the motivation comes from the fact that I am a Health Consultant and it is my duty to lead by example. I will often be tempted by junk foods and my title is all that is standing in my way of indulgence. Fortunately, my resolutions are not absolute, they are based on balance. Because of this I allow myself occasional less than nutritional treats. This was the case over the New Year as I met up with many friends in Ireland, partaking in one or two local, alcoholic interventions at a delightful public house. What this does is ensure that there is enough latitude within the resolutions that I make to allow me to make many positive, long-term changes within my life - without the restrictions which led me to failure in the past.
So, for all of you who have started a New Year's resolution and are struggling with the new you - be kind enough to yourself to allow any positive change to occur at a rate that is sustainable for you - for the rest of your life. For some, giving up lifetime habits can occur in a moment of intense leverage. For those who don't yet have that - make the resolutions proportional to your belief that you can maintain them. Alternatively, get someone to coach you to a place where that is possible.
We all have the right tools to make changes that will improve our lives forever - we just haven't had the right questions if we are not making those changes now.
What question(s) should you be asking yourself in order to get the results that you need right now?
We all have the best of intentions when we make such commitments. However, many such resolutions are unrealistic within current models of the world and will just lead to failure, disillusionment and guilt. This will will result in many people paying attention to the voice within that says how hopeless they are and that's not too nice. When undertaking such lifestyle changes it is important to have enough leverage to sustain the process. For one friend it was a simple comment about how unpleasant he smelled after smoking - put to him in less polite terminology by another friend of mine. This one remark created an instant smoking cessation - which has now been the case for over two years.
In my case the motivation comes from the fact that I am a Health Consultant and it is my duty to lead by example. I will often be tempted by junk foods and my title is all that is standing in my way of indulgence. Fortunately, my resolutions are not absolute, they are based on balance. Because of this I allow myself occasional less than nutritional treats. This was the case over the New Year as I met up with many friends in Ireland, partaking in one or two local, alcoholic interventions at a delightful public house. What this does is ensure that there is enough latitude within the resolutions that I make to allow me to make many positive, long-term changes within my life - without the restrictions which led me to failure in the past.
So, for all of you who have started a New Year's resolution and are struggling with the new you - be kind enough to yourself to allow any positive change to occur at a rate that is sustainable for you - for the rest of your life. For some, giving up lifetime habits can occur in a moment of intense leverage. For those who don't yet have that - make the resolutions proportional to your belief that you can maintain them. Alternatively, get someone to coach you to a place where that is possible.
We all have the right tools to make changes that will improve our lives forever - we just haven't had the right questions if we are not making those changes now.
What question(s) should you be asking yourself in order to get the results that you need right now?
Labels: help, new, realistic, Resolutions, sustainable, Year
posted by Adam Shaw at
07:26
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