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Resolutions are pledges that a person makes to encourage himself/ herself to improve from a current unacceptable state to a better position be it physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, or otherwise. This improvement is in most cases slanted towards positive progress. The end of each year is usually one of such times that the word “resolution”, regains appeal in the lips of the everyday person. We hear it used often in the phrase, “New Year’s Resolution”. Related words include resolve: “to reach a decision, to make up one’s mind, to come to a conclusion” and resoluteness: “to be firm in purpose, unyielding in belief and portray a determined mind during a particular mission”.
Unfortunately, making up an itemized list of goals and titling it New Year’s Resolution, would not make those listed goals a resolution unless the necessary convictions are present in the mind of the list maker – a strong determination, a firmness of purpose, a final decision that will not waver. If these convictions are not present then the resolutions would dissipate along with the excitement of the New Year (or whatever emotions that initially spurred them).
Based on this, it goes without saying that resolutions do not only need to be made when a new year comes around. It can begin on any day or at any hour because it is merely an unyielding decision that can be made at anytime devoid of a season. Also, if a resolution is made at the beginning of a year (as is customarily done) and mid-year it appears to start showing symptoms of failure, it is arguably counterproductive to wait for the start of the next New Year, to begin again with renewed fervor or greater gusto. Why? Because it’s a marathon not a sprint. Though important, it doesn’t require huge gusto from the start as much as it requires consistency and a level temperament.
Ways to Keep a Resolution Alive
Four steps come to mind when thinking of ways to keep a resolution alive. They are discussed below. Try to remember that it helps to have a practical approach, and do away with unnecessary sensations. It helps to be methodical by dividing the problem into sizeable chunks and attacking it one chunk at a time until the end goal has been attained. Once you have overcome, then you have to transition into a preservation approach, so you don’t slide back after a couple days of months of success, and effectively destroy all the hard work.
Like plants or gardens, resolutions can only stay alive if we water them, and nurture them, particularly during periods of infancy.
Status Checks
Do status checks periodically. Ask evaluating questions of yourself to gauge your position. Questions such as:
- I know have these ultimate goals, but what are my checkpoints to help measure my success? Are these checkpoints realistic?
- How have I done so far with this resolution? Am I better than before or am I still the same way I was when I started?
- What are the main issues or impediments blocking my success? What can I do shake them off?
Personal Encouragement
Stay positive. Personal encouragement is important. When a person arrives at a resolution, it is necessary to explore ways in which he can positively motivate himself to stay the course. Personal encouragement is also necessary because sometimes there may not always be another person available to provide that encouragement. This way he learns to rely on himself and not others, but welcomes when others show interest and support.
Accountability Factor
Whenever possible, he should try to find someone that will take on the task of holding him accountable, so that when he begins to fail himself, there is that gentle nudge. Some people call such people accountability partners. It is easier if they both share common resolutions and can hold each up.
Realistic Expectations
As a friend put it pithily concerning resolutions and the New Year, “I need to stop having unrealistic expectations”. A common mistake is to expect some sort of magical intervention that makes the resolution successful in a tranquil or surreal sort of way. That is not the case – good results are usually not that effortless.
Finally, if you have any additional tips that have helped you succeed with a resolution please share it in the comments section.
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One Response to “Ways To Stick To Resolutions You Make”
By AdmirerGQ on Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
New Year’s Resolution… Sometime I wonder why people even bother making these resolutions that they know they’re not going to keep. I think the key here is waiting for some New Year to say what you are or not going to do anymore. If you can’t start now, than what make you think you’re going to start when a New Year arrives. They say (and don’t quote me on this) that the key to finding a solution is first knowing the problem. So if you know or are aware of a problem that needs addressing, why wait for a specific time to start addressing it? No matter what time or what year is coming, there is always room for growing way before it gets here. So like the article says, start your marathon now, start when you see a change that needs to be made for the better in you, your family, your world. From my view and as I see it, it is more about consistency.
Just a Thought!