Resolving for Better New Year’s Resolutions
posted by Jameeka Marshall | December 1, 2015 | In OpinionEvery time a new year rolls around, you always seem to hear these wonderful things about “new year, new me” or “time to do things differently.” But how many people have actually followed through with their resolutions? There are some common New Year’s resolutions, such losing weight, managing debt, saving money, getting a job, eating right, or quitting smoking. The thing is: if people really wanted to do all these things, why wait until a new year to start to start doing it?
A resolution is based on what you think you should be doing, rather than what you really want to be doing. Very often, resolutions are decided by looking at other people’s expectations. Forget about what other people think of you, do what you want to do and be who you want to be, not who society wants you to be. So here are some things to keep in mind as you think about making resolutions this year:
Resolutions are goals.
Goals are intended to be achieved. You challenge yourself to make it through them.
The problem with that is as soon as you set yourself a goal, you’re saying to yourself that you want more in your life than you have right now. Setting goals for yourself can make you feel like you’re accomplishing something, but at the same time make you feel like you are not doing all of what you should be doing in your life, which can make you feel like you are “less-than.”
Most people tend to think they need to set themselves goals and objectives to see things happen, but that’s missing the point. Even if that person reaches a goal it’s all too likely that it lacks meaning and personal relevance, and so the hunt for meaning, relevance and happiness goes on. Once you reach a goal, what’s next? You have to have another goal. Then another, then another. When do you get to stop and just enjoy life right where you are?
Motivation and Commitment.
New Year’s resolutions never last. They barely make it through January. There is no commitment there. The problem is that you’re taking something that doesn’t mean anything to you and trying to make it happen. Resolutions lack a foundation of meaning and personal relevance that insures they run out of steam. The only way to be successful is to have confidence in it and keep the motivation and commitment going.
Forget about making New Year’s resolutions
Living life to the fullest isn’t about making some irresolute decisions that don’t really mean anything. That’s not what truly confident people do.
Instead, make confident choices based on what really matters to you, and go at it with your whole heart.
But don’t wait till a new year comes to start.
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