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Articles
INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF MAKING REAL CHANGE THIS YEAR
Placer Herald | December, 2006 | By: Jean Munoz
As we enter the New Year, filled with a fresh attitude and sense of optimism, 50 percent of us will vow to engage in drastic self-improvement by making a "New Year's Resolution."
And most of us will likely not meet our self-imposed raised expectations, failing to improve our quality of life for yet one more year. With an 80 percent failure rate, I am left questioning this ancient tradition.
Beginning 4,000 years ago in Ancient Babylonia, New Year's Resolutions were made with the belief that a change made at the beginning of the year would be mirrored throughout the year. If you lived during this time, your resolution was something simple, most likely to return something borrowed from a friend ... usually some type of farm equipment.
Times have changed. Instead of successfully letting go of borrowed farm equipment once a year, we make soon to be broken vows to let go of bad habits that have often taken years to develop. While this tradition might have once served the Ancient Babylonians, it is not serving us and we are left with a feeling of defeat after breaking that important promise to ourselves that we will make a positive change.
I want to offer you a revised approach to New Year's Resolutions that will increase your odds of becoming successful, and a provide guidance so you can make whatever change you want to make on your path towards better health.
Replace your "New Years Resolution" with a "Daily Resolution"
Real change takes time. It took awhile to get where you are today, so it is going to take time to change habits. One reason New Year's Resolutions fail is often the goal is so overwhelming it seems impossible.
Looking at each new day as an opportunity to change for the better gives you a clear path as you journey toward better health one step at a time. Accept you will have good days, and days that don't go as planned. But that is just part of the process.
Set an intention, and believe in your decision
"Resolution" is defined as "a firm decision to do something." For change to occur, big or small, you must truly believe in what you are trying to accomplish.
Many times resolutions focus on something that we wish we could do, but deep down we don't really believe it is possible.
For example, "I resolve to lose 50 pounds this year." You may know this would be good for you. You may want to do this.
But with a goal this far away it may not seem possible. If you don't believe your goal to be possible, then you have not really made the decision to make change. This sets you up for failure.
Instead, create an intention to plan healthy meals for the week ahead, and take it one day at a time. Or, set an intention to take three deep breaths before beginning each meal. Make the decision, and then do it. These are both steps towards losing 50 pounds ... smaller victories of success as you move closer to your long-term objective.
Replace obstacles with opportunity
When you begin to make change, there will be obstacles ... you don't like exercise ... your schedule is too hectic ... you don't know how to cook ... your family requires too much time.
Obstacles are just part of life, and you have the choice to let them stand in the way of your progress or to serve as opportunities for growth.
Stay Positive
Most resolutions focus on what we consider to be a negative element of ourselves. For example, many will resolve to "lose weight this year," or to "get into better shape."
Our focus is inherently rooted in self-loathing that has brought us into our current state. Instead, create a positive intention that allows for letting go of previous habits, and cultivate a space that can be filled with healthier living.
For example, replace, "Today I will exercise so I can lose weight" with, "Today, I look forward to stilling my mind while taking a walk with friends."
Replace, "I will eliminate fast food from my diet" with, "I will learn how to cook healthy, simple meals." A change in attitude about your health is truly the key to staying the course of change.
If you slip back, forgive yourself. Pick yourself up, and take another step forward. For many, change moves two steps forward, one step back. You aren't alone!
You have everything within you to reach your potential in creating a more balanced, healthier, fuller life. You are entirely capable of losing weight, eating a healthier diet, reducing our stress, getting into better shape and transforming yourself by creating the life that you want.
