New Years Resolution

Everybody always follows up on their New Year’s Resolutions right? Well the number is about 8% that are actually completed, but why is the number so low. Let’s check out a few of the most common ones and investigate the pitfalls.

First on the list usually is the infamous “lose weight.” With this you often see eat healthy, exercise, go to the gym, etc. For this I ask how much weight, by when, how many times to the gym, what type of food. Here it comes down to planning. How do you plan on getting in shape. If it is eating high quality food 80% of the time and doing weight training at the gym 3 days per week for 30 minutes then great. That is something you can grab a hold of and be accountable for.

Next usually comes drink less. Well for somebody that drinks twice a year this will be different that has 2 drinks a day. Make it something that will be concrete. Drinking only on a Saturday night can be a good way to start. You can even try that it is only one drink with dinner.

Learning something new ranks high on the list as well. This often can be very complicated, but does not need to be. Sure a new language can be very time consuming or racecar driving can be way too expensive. Pick something that suits you well. Many things can be rented instead of buying. Lots of community colleges or community centers offer beginner classes on a wide array of topics. Start with these before buying a complete drum set or getting that airplane off the ground.

What resolution list would be complete without quitting smoking. I’m sure you’ve heard a million and one ways to quit right? Well here is my perspective and a million and two. Finding your one true passion. If you find something that you love more than anything else and would drop anything for then you know what I’m talking about. This motivator cannot be “I don’t like the way my clothes smell.” This may be enough for some, but think bigger like “I want to be the oldest person to ever climb Mount Everest without using oxygen.” Now your passion will really put you on top of the world.

Finally we come to finding a better balance between work and life outside of it. For this I recommend getting down your schedule with all of those in your family at least on a weekly basis. Who works when, what days are practice, what projects (school and work) are due, what’s for dinner, what time and day do we make our schedule, etc. Sure things will come up, but if there is time set aside to take the kids to the park (and what park it is) then it is a lot easier to get out of work and go have fun.

The real question when looking at this list is why is scheduling my physical therapy initial evaluation not number one on the list?! Just remember that as you are singing “Auld Lang Syne” that you can be in the 8% that achieves their resolutions by making sure you are not setting yourself up for failure.