Most people look at the New Year as a time to reset and restart. For most, it’s a time to change their life for the better. Resolutions often include a new diet to lose weight, purchasing a gym membership also to lose weight, spending less time on social media, traveling and much more. While these are amazing resolutions, many people tend to drop their resolution within the first two months of the new year. Many failed resolutions are due to the fact that most people focus on the end goal instead of the journey. When the end goal isn’t met quickly, a person’s desire to continue dwindles. So, the question must be asked, is it better to make a New Years Resolution, or is it best to make a New Years Commitment where the journey is the focus?
A lot of weight goes into a commitment. When a commitment is made, a plan is often put in place. Goals are made, research is done, schedules are produced, and the focus lands on the journey instead of the outcome so that one can ensure that the outcome happens.
This year, instead of focusing on your resolutions, focus on committing instead. Ask yourself, “HOW am I going to achieve the results I want when it comes to losing weight, or traveling, or say… remodeling your home?” The “how” is your commitment. Learn what it will take to achieve the result and then focus on the journey to achieving your result. So, how do you commit? Take a look below:
Set little goals. If you want to eat better, plan one meal a week that is “healthy.” Once you hit that weekly goal for a few weeks, add another meal, and another, and so on. Achieving little goals gives you the courage and the momentum to continue adding more.
Make a reasonable plan. Can you make it to the gym every day? Probably not. Instead, look at your schedule and understand the times that you can COMMIT to going to the gym. Then, build it into your schedule.
Make small changes first. It’s always better to build upon a change than it is to dial back. Dialing back feels like a failure. Instead allow yourself to succeed. Once you have achieved your first small feat, add another. Perhaps you want to clean your house more often. Commit to one small task each day. Perhaps you make sure no clothes are left on your bedroom floor and instead make it into the hamper each time you change. Once that becomes routine, add another small task to build upon the previous one. When you win at the little things, the more motivated you are to focus on the bigger goals.
Allow yourself to mess up. Too many people give up on their goals because of one slip-up. Don’t do it. Pick it up the next day. Be flexible with yourself. Life gets in the way, and that is okay. A commitment is a constant journey of successes and failures - celebrate both. But, continue pushing forward with your commitments.
Change the way you view your New Year’s Resolutions by focusing on the journey of your commitment. Shift your paradigm from failed resolution to a successful commitment!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
