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Invariably, after the holiday rush, people sit down and look toward the future. Statistically, the holiday season is an extremely depressing one. It's the time of year when we reflect on the past and look ahead. Many times we remember all the plans and promises we made the previous New Year and acknowledge the disappointment of our failure to attain those resolutions. Perhaps we aim even higher the next year and are even more disheartened when those goals are again not reached. It becomes a vicious circle, setting ourselves up for bigger disappointment, believing that we are failures. No wonder some people dread the holidays!
So how can we achieve the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment of fulfilling our New Year's resolutions? The answer is simple, really. Many times we establish unattainable goals for ourselves. For instance, making a New Year's resolution that you will get married this year may not only be unattainable, but also entirely out of your control. Although you may want to get married it doesn't necessarily mean you will meet someone to marry. The same can be said for resolutions such as having a baby or winning the lottery – these are not resolutions, rather they are hopes and dreams. The key to achieving your New Year's resolutions is to ask yourself the following questions.
1. Is this goal totally within my control?
2. Is this resolution truly attainable?
If your resolution is to lose 10 pounds, that is in your control and probably attainable; however if your goal is to lose 100 pounds, that might be unattainable. In other words, be practical and realistic.
Another key – don't make lists and lists of resolutions. The more you make, the less you will keep. Try to make no more than five honest, sincere and realistically attainable resolutions. If at the end of the year, you've kept three of them, pat yourself on the back.
When considering what goals and objectives you want to set for yourself for the coming year, remember these three rules: A resolution should be made to improve yourself either physically, emotionally or mentally; a resolution should never be made to hurt yourself or others; and a resolution should also include a beneficial outcome for others.
With those guidelines in mind, here are sample resolutions:
1. I will read at least one book that has been recommended by a friend (improving yourself mentally);
2. I will find something to laugh at every day (this not only benefits you emotionally, but others -- as long as you do not laugh at someone – which would break the resolution rule not to hurt);
3. I will smile or say "good morning" to a stranger at least once a week (this, too, benefits you as well as others).
These three New Year's resolutions may seem extremely simple, but that is just the point. At the end of December when you reflect on the resolutions you made on January 1, and realize that at last, you have kept all of your resolutions, you will be surprised at the sense of accomplishment, fulfillment and self-worth these three simple things have done!
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