My New Year’s resolution is……no more New Year’s resolutions

Picture this….

Its December 31^st close to midnight and you’re thinking about the new year ahead. Chances are your starting to think about setting New Year’s resolutions. Things like next year I want to: “be healthier, be more organised, be happier.”

Have you noticed that all of those common resolutions we make are broad, vague and are often related to things we don’t like about ourselves, things we want to change about ourselves, things that are hard to measure – I mean “be happier” – how do we measure that.

So, this year instead of making new year's resolutions as such let’s think about what we want for the year ahead – not just what we want to change. Things like this year I want to: “do more things I enjoy, find a new hobby, spend more time with people I care about”.

If you insist on setting New Year's resolutions, consider the following:

• Make them specific and measurable e.g. instead of “get healthier” try “cook more meals at home” and “find fun ways of keeping active”
• Make a plan as to how you will achieve your goals. Break down smaller goals that will get you to your end goal
• Be realistic – set goals you know you can achieve
• Stay positive – a positive attitude always helps
• Share your resolutions with others especially people who will help you reach your goals
• Reward yourself – think about how you can reward yourself for achieving your goals
• Plan for setbacks – remember that things will come up that may get in the way of you achieving your goals – that’s ok but planning in advance for setbacks helps
• Be kind to yourself – use positive language and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve everything you set out to.

Happy New Years to everyone and here’s to a great 2023!!!