So what if we’re halfway through the year? Today can be the day you make resolutions and keep them.
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As we hit June, I’m amazed to realize that we are almost halfway through the year. Research reveals something even more amazing — more than one third of Americans (36 percent to be precise) who made a New Year’s Resolution have already given up on it. No joke. By the end of the month, that number jumps to nearly 55 percent.
When people set a New Year’s resolution, they are really setting goals. Losing ten pounds is a goal, as is making more money. So think of it this way — 55 percent of people will have abandoned the goals they set less than six months ago.
So I got to thinking — why do most of us wait until January 1st to make a resolution? “Resolution” by definition is “a firm decision to do or not do something”. We can do that any day we choose. In fact, it makes little sense to start a new resolution or set important goals on New Year’s Day, right after the holiday season when the hordes are genuinely exhausted from the whirlwind of it all.
So think of it this way — 55 percent of people will have abandoned the goals they set less than six months ago.
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It’s also a popular vacation period. Plus, January 1st just happens to be in the dead of winter; a time when many people experience lower energy and higher levels of stress and fatigue. (Here is some information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the “winter blues.”) In no way are these optimal conditions for self improvement. And yet, this is the norm. This is when scores of people decide to implement change. Talk about setting yourself up for failure!
But you can try something different. You can treat today as January 1st and renew your resolution and commitment to follow through. Can you think of one good reason why today is not a good day to start bettering yourself and creating the life you want? If you are one of the soon to be 55 percent of poor souls who have abandoned their resolutions, realize that you can get right back to it. Today. Don’t wait for the next January 1st to come around. Choose today.
Here are three tips to help you keep you on track:
1) Start small
Make one change at a time and increase the chances of success exponentially. When I am coaching using cognitive behavioral techniques, this is key to achieving success. For example, if someone wants to overcome a fear of flying, the first step of the approach to help them accomplish this is to first drive by the airport. That’s it. Step two is to watch planes take off and land. Step three is to go into the airport and just observe. The fourth step might be to take a walk through an airplane (if possible) or to watch videos of planes in all stages of flight. Doing this visualization exercise helps one “feel” what it is like to be on a plane. The final step is to get on a plane and take a short flight (and utilize breathing and calming techniques). But as you can see, this is intentionally done in small increments so conditions are primed for success.
2) Do not be hard on yourself
This one is important because people who have difficulty setting and achieving goals have a tendency to be hard on themselves. If you have a setback, remember it happens to everyone at some point. And your past is not an indicator of what you are capable of doing right here and now. Rather than feeling guilty, admit to yourself that you got off track and then utilize positive self talk. Tell yourself that you have the ability to get right back on track IF you choose.
3) Get it on paper
This applies two-fold. It is always smart to write down your goals. Psychologists found that people who work at and make consistent progress towards goals live happier and more fulfilling lives than people who don’t. The additional benefit of writing it down manifests when you find yourself struggling. Simply writing down your past successes can help you regain confidence. Surely you have accomplished something meaningful—a solid relationship, a college education, a promotion at work, a compliment someone gave you after you helped them. Write it down and use it as fuel. You’ve been there already. You can do this.
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No date on a calendar can dictate such powerful self-awareness. Working at it, not just wishing for it will get you there.
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The choice really is yours. For the next six months you can choose to carry around the weight of disappointment and the knowing that you gave up. If you do, chances are you’ll start yet another resolution next year and repeat the process of stopping before mission accomplished. Or you can choose to start again right now, knowing that even though you faltered a step or two, you did not fail because you have the courage and resourcefulness to get back on track whenever the moment is right for you.
No date on a calendar can dictate such powerful self-awareness. Working at it, not just wishing for it will get you there. Do this and you will accomplish what only eight percent of Americans accomplish — seeing your resolution through to the end.
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This post is republished on Medium.
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