As 2015 ends and 2016 begins, many of us create New Years’ resolutions. We all do so with the best of intentions. Perhaps we have goals for fitness, relationships, health, work or financial success. Nothing wrong with that.
Yet as the month of January wanes, most of us find that our resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Why?
Typically, a resolution is not followed by any actions creating habits to ensure that resolution’s success. Intention without action generally yields poor results. Why should we expect anything different when our New Year’s resolutions are simple platitudes without any effort behind them?
When you make a resolution or two for this upcoming year, try focusing instead on creating habits. You need appropriate habits to ensure a greater chance of succeeding in the goal that your resolution expresses.
For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds by the end of February, perhaps you need to create a sustainable level of exercise, in a specific time slot on specific days, and quit your two-drink a day habit with dinner. Or, if your resolution entails creating a meditation practice, what about a habit where you set aside 10 minutes each day in a quiet, specified location? If your resolution involves business success, for example telephoning past clients to see how you can serve them better in 2016, what if you set aside three — one-half hour time slots each week to do so?
How do you establish a habit? Science has no definitive answer on how long it takes for a habit to become routine. You might see articles suggesting 28 days or some similar time frame, but studies have not been clear. Here are two suggestions:
Borrow a technique from many recovery programs: one day at a time. Don’t worry about how many days it takes to establish the habit, worry about today only. Tomorrow can then take care of itself as you start the one day at a the time all over again. A variation of this is what a good coach of a sports team preaches. The only record you worry about is today’s game. Today, you want to be 1-0. Don’t worry about prior days or what the future might hold for your team.
Create a checklist or a summation of the habits you need to establish every day and keep it in front of you. Being reminded that you are creating the specific actions towards your goals on a routine basis is important.
And if you screw up and miss a day? Don’t beat yourself up. Get back on the wagon and continue to move forward towards that new, better you!