What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year!!

-Vern Mclellan

So, we have entered a brisk new year 2024! Every new year brings with it lots of hopes, wishes, dreams!!! For me, it’s like a spik and span untouched new diary waiting to be filled. I’m always excited to fill the first page of the diary once I get hold of it but sometimes, it’s easier to scribble on the first page but very difficult to continue jotting down something to fill every new page. That is what happens with our new year resolutions, isn’t it?? Of course, there are still many, who religiously stick to their goals and achieve them but for majority of us, the enthusiasm is short-lived and then the lethargy sets in. Finally, by the end of March, we pack up the resolutions in a bag only to be opened again in the next year. Have you wondered why is it so and how to change this pattern? Let’s find out.

First and foremost, the main problem lies in the type of resolution we choose for ourselves. If we set a very vague or an extensive goal, the chances of sticking to it are rare. For example, if I decide to follow a healthy lifestyle as my new year resolution, it is quite unclear as well as an extensive goal. A healthy lifestyle involves many aspects such as physical fitness, mental fitness, sleep, diet, etc. Of course, all these aspects are important but working on all of them together will be like biting more than what we can chew, isn’t it? So, what can we do is that we can break our goal into small pieces and dedicate a specific time limit for these small goals. In this case, we can just work on setting fixed sleep and wake up time for ourselves for first couple of months. This small goal seems specific as well as achievable and therefore the probability of fulfilling it is much more. When we get used to the sleeping right part, we can then move on to the eating right part which can again be achieved step by step. Thus, breaking down the goal definitely increases the likelihood of success.

Secondly, we always have an intention behind any resolution we make, so it’s important to work on finding that intention rather than just focusing on the action. For example, if I set a goal of being more organized, it is never just about keeping things on place or making to do lists. My motive behind this goal is basically to reduce the stress I face every time I fail to find things on time or the time I lose when I don’t prioritize my jobs. If I find the right intention behind why I want to achieve a certain goal, the possibility of me working towards it definitely increases.

Most of us tend to adopt an “all or none approach” towards goal setting and achievement. No one can be perfect, therefore instead of striving for perfection, focus on improvement. Each one of us is flawed so if you mess up in your journey, don’t go on a guilt trip and abandon your efforts instead learn from your mistakes and get back on the track. So next time, if you break your diet by gorging on to that sumptuous burger, just don’t scrap your diet plan completely rather recover and get back on it at the earliest.

Lastly, keep in mind that any change is a slow process. We have developed our habits by behaving in a particular way over years together. So, we can’t expect to change these habits within just few days or months. Once we decide to take a step towards any change, we need to have patience. So be kind with yourself and just try to maintain consistency. Remember, you are neither competing with anyone nor you have a race to win, so follow your own pace and keep working on your goal!!

Wish you all a very happy new year!! Always keep in mind,

We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are!!

– Max Depree