As the New Year rolls around, people create vision boards and lists of things they want to improve during the upcoming year. They pledge to themselves that they will get rid of all of their bad habits and create new, good ones. Every year, by February, most fall short. The moment people remember to write 2015 instead of 2014 is when they start forgetting to pick the salad over the donut. Now that it’s February and the gym's finally clearing up, people need a reminder as to why they should stick to their New Year’s resolutions.
There’s a reason we create New Year’s resolutions. We do it because we are unhappy with our guilty pleasures and want to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. So why do we lose momentum so easily? It’s because we make them just to make them. When the New Year comes and everyone else says they’re going to be more fit or do more community service, we hop on the bandwagon. Only make resolutions that mean something to you. Change yourself for the better, but in a way that you know that will help you. If you want to get more involved with your faith, do it because you want to, not because anyone else is doing it.
Now for the many who have made flaky commitments for the New Year and have already fallen short, here’s a reminder of why should pick your resolutions back up. Think back to the motivation you had on Jan. 1. Think about how proud you were of yourself when you jogged a mile. Think about why you chose to make this difference in your life. If you remind yourself of the importance of your resolutions, you can continue to have that drive as you make your way through the year.
Although the next New Year is a ways away, there are steps you can take today to make more solid resolutions in the future so you don’t fall short.
First, create a vision board. With a vision board, you can put it on your wall and see your goals every day. Having a visual reminder of what your goals are makes them seem more attainable.
Secondly, give a time limit. The “new year" is pretty broad; that could mean two or five or 10 months. Set time limits for your goals. With time limits, you can check the progress of your resolutions and make adjustments if necessary.
Third, don’t make stupid goals. If you love chocolate, don’t tell yourself you’re going to stop eating chocolate all together. That’s unrealistic and really won’t do anything for you. Set goals that have meaning to you. Try explaining why you chose your resolutions to someone. If you can explain why you decided on a New Year’s resolution, you’ll know that you’re making for the right reasons.
It’s never too late to have “New Year’s resolutions” because, let’s face it: The year is still pretty new. Look back at the goals you made 7 weeks ago and start them up again. Use all of these tips as a reminder of what you want, and know that you can do it.
Reach the columnist at ybrewste@asu.edu or follow @jbrewzki on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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