A few days ago we celebrated the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 and I am one of those who believes this is a perfect time to begin a new era of your life. Unfortunately a majority of all new year’s resolution will be broken and therefore I will share some of my tips to make sure you will keep yours.
1) There are still time
Even though it’s a few days ago the new year began you can still decide for new year’s resolutions. You should actually try to create a new habit every other month but this is a perfect time for you to come up with the big ones.
2) Be realistic
Some of your friends might say this is to aim low but it is a much better idea to go from zero to two exercises a week instead of going from zero to five and then break your new habit after only a week.
With that said you should always aim high since this is how we continue to develop. Just remember to choose a habit which you can accomplish.
3) Give way for monogamy
Just as you should be realistic and choose a habit you can accomplish you should also stick to one or a few at the same time. Even though you might want to quit smoking, loose weight (more on this in another post) and begin exercising you will probably not be able to handle all of it at the same time.
Instead you should decide for one of them, continue with that for two months and then head over to your next challenge while you continue to succeed with your previous habits.
4) Keep it to yourself
Most people spread the word about their new year’s resolution as soon as possible but personally I have mixed feelings about this. I think it is a great idea to find a special person to compete with and help each other.
To mention a specific example I and a friend will run a competition on who covers the the biggest distance during the month of January. This is nothing we will share with our friends (oh!) but since it is a competition it will most certainly encourage us to exercise more. To measure the distance I will be using a Garmin Forerunner 405 which I ordered earlier today. I will receive it later this week and post a review here as soon as possible.
Another reason to keep your resolution to yourself is because some of your friends has probably already failed with it earlier and will remind you. Some people have a tendency to drag others down by being negative.
5) Reward yourself
In this case I went the other way around a bought a gadget first but this is only because I have been lurking at one since my surgery a few moths ago. Instead you should set a goal and when you reach it you can reward yourself with a gadget, journey, bicycle, etc. All depending on your resolution. By doing so you will not buy things that you are never going to use again.
6) Share your resolutions
Even though I told you to keep your resolutions to yourself I feel that all of my readers are positive and therefore there’s no risk with sharing your resolutions below. Here are my resolutions for 2010:
- Run or walk (exercise) for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
- Continue to stay away from unhealthy food with my calendar method.
- Publish 365 posts on this blog.
Don’t forget to read my best post from 2009 and subscribe.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Stefan
I think setting goals is important. You have set some right above and you are right they need to be realistic. Sure they have to be a bit challenging, but realistic.
I like your last resolution. 365 posts to this blog. I actually only have 48 posts. I had better get going
365 posts on this blog within one year are a bit optimistic since I prefer to publish high quality content, but since I will change a lot of things in my life this year (travel, head back to school, etc.) I’m certain there will be much to share with you.
I couldn’t find any post about new year’s resolutions on your blog Jim. Have you set up any goals or resolutions for the new year?
I should set up some goals for the new year. Honestly I haven’t sat down to think about them. This might sound weird, but what just came to mind is that I just want to happy. I want to enjoy the simple things in life and not stress so much. I know not really goals, but just thoughts that came to mind
I just posted my personal and blog resolutions, short and long term. I know some of them will be reached while others not, but I must set targets and goals and do my best.
Many people now days don’t even do the new year resolution thing as they know they won’t keep them. It’s sad, but true.
Just read them and I think most of them are spot on. I would personally try to set up more specific dates instead of saying “I will” but it’s possible you have them more detailed somewhere in private.
About the second point then. Well, personally I feel that people saying they can’t keep them has already lost. They give in to their old comfortable life and will therefore probably not continue to develop themselves. Remember that if anyone else can make it, we can as well.