ResilienceWorks : New year new you

New year new you

It’s a new year! It’s a time of renewed optimism, a time for fresh beginnings, a time for hope that the new year will be better than the last. And of course, a time for new year resolutions! These resolutions are the changes that we will initiate, that will make our lives a whole lot better.

Sadly, research shows that fewer than half of the resolutions last till February. On the upside however, about 20% of the resolutions last for over two years. So how do you make resolutions that will actually change your life for the better?

Start with a goal: Have one or two broader targets that you wish to achieve. Then select resolutions that will help you achieve these goals. One of the reasons resolutions don’t last is because they seem random, but having resolutions that will take you closer to your long-term goal (such as saving money, losing weight etc.) will help them sustain.
Select: Don’t have too many goals though, stick to few areas. For example, don’t plan to save money and lose weight and quit smoking all at one go. Changing too many things all at once can cause frustration making none of the changes last.
Be realistic: Going forward with the saving example, if you decide to save 30 lakhs in the new year, it might not be a realistic goal (without winning a lottery!). What would be more realistic is to say you will save 10% of your salary.
Small steps: Break a bigger goal down into smaller resolutions. Smaller steps are easier to achieve and have more chances of lasting longer. If your goal is to lose weight, your resolution could be, going to the gym at least thrice a week. Another resolution can deal with healthy eating; and other areas which will help you reach your bigger goal of losing weight.
Be accountable: Resolutions are easier to keep if you hold yourself accountable to another person. This can be a friend or a family member who knows what you are trying to achieve and check up on you regularly to make you sure you are on track.
Margin of error: Keep in mind that there will be days where you are unable to keep your resolution. There will be days when you are too tired, too depressed or too busy to even think of your resolutions. That is perfectly natural and happens to everyone. What is important is that you realise that these days happen and pull yourself together.

Research shows that people tend to keep all kinds of changes as resolutions but some of the more common ones are below: