Make It Your Year!

It's time for New Year's Resolutions again! What big plans do you have for 2025? If you are like me, those resolutions that are so important on January 1 are barely hanging on by February 1. How can we keep them? I also want this to be my year, so I randomly interviewed several people to help me. 
 
Paul had an interesting thought: "The key is that you have to make up your mind and do it. If you want to get rid of a bad habit, such as smoking or over-eating, you must make a firm commitment to do so. It's coming out of an addiction, not unlike defeating alcoholism. Knowing what motivates you is very important, like why do you want to do this thing? Determination is needed whether you will start some good thing or stop some bad thing." 

Roberta was next. When I asked her about her plan for keeping her New Year's Resolutions, she said, "I don't make any. That way, I won't be disappointed when I don't keep them."

In contrast to Paul's proactive advice, Roberta's was non-active. I suppose both approaches could work.

An 81-year-old "church lady," Roxanne, told me this: "It depends on the motive of your resolutions. You have to act in faith and give them to God. Make sure you believe in something positive, like better health or closer relationships, and reject negative things like fear and doubt. You must determine your motivation for what you wish to accomplish."

I noticed that the word "motivation" was mentioned again.

Gigi had this wise advice: "Be sure you do not make the resolution so big that it is difficult to maintain. It should be something you can stick with all year: a permanent change for the better."

Penelope thinks ahead. She plans to cut way down on sweets, especially chocolate, which she loves. She knows herself well and admits that these things have been her weakness. Her plan is: "If I deny myself and say I won't eat any chocolate, I will be obsessed with wanting it. When I do cheat, it will cause a chocolate binge. So, if I have only a little bite of it, my craving will be satisfied, and I will want less and less. In other words, I can't say I will never have chocolate; I will only have a bite here and there when the craving hits. Also, I have a great support group with my friends and family watching me. Being accountable is probably the best thing that helps me stick with my resolutions."

I was surprised how many people said they do not make New Year's Resolutions. 

Dan on Air1 Radio reported, "Only 10% of people make them, probably because they don't want to be defeated when they don't keep them. Did you know that 47% of the people who made them failed by February 1?"

What is the main reason people give for failing to keep their New Year resolutions?

So far, we see a few themes running through these interviews. To help us keep our New Year's Resolutions, we need to be:
• Determined
• Motivated
• Committed
• Realistic
• Prepared
• Accountable

Continuing my interviews, Sarah had an idea that might work. She said, "We should not call them 'New Year's Resolutions' because that locks us into a whole year. It is a source of stress that we do not need. Let's call them 'January Objectives' or make an untitled list of things we want to change. That would give our plans flexibility as we need to adapt them."

Larry's comments were straightforward and logical. "You have to have a plan. Write them down and keep them in the forefront of your mind. Every morning, I list things I need to do that day. I think New Year's Resolutions are too confining. I prefer to live one day at a time."

Cecelia, another one who doesn't make resolutions for the New Year, said, "When I had kids at home, I would make plans for them, although I did not necessarily consider them New Year's Resolutions. I would plan to exercise more or lose weight, but those were vague goals that never worked.

John offered, "Don't make, can't keep."

The people in this last group are non-resolution people who get around the idea of New Year's Resolutions this way:

1. They don't call them "New Year's Resolutions," thus locking them in for a year.
2. They choose to live one day at a time.
3. They have a plan for any changes they wish to make. 
4. They write down their plan and refer to it often.
5. They do not make vague, non-measurable goals.

Whether you call it "New Year's Resolutions" or something else, plan to improve yourself on an ongoing basis, not just on January 1. Do not beat yourself up when you mess up. Instead, start over and commit to only a day or two. That is easy to do, and it will get you back on track and help you stick to your plans. Remember, it's a commitment that requires motivation and determination. Remember why you are doing this and reward yourself for your excellent work. Your year will be fantastic!