Resolutions: Simple + specific = success

Friday
Jan 5, 2018 at 12:01 AM

Deena Bouknight More Content Now

All traditions have a starting point — even New Year’s resolutions. The modern Gregorian calendar is rooted in Roman history; Julius Caesar, in fact, named January the first month of the year in honor of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Because Janus has two faces, he can look back into the past and ahead into the future.

Thus, for centuries the ending of one year and the start of another has been seen as an opportunity to leave past foibles behind. This clean-slate mentality results in millions of people making promises, primarily to themselves, about what they will and will not do in the coming year.

Typical resolutions fall into a few general categories:
— Body/image-centered: Dieting, eating healthier, exercising more
— Financial: Spending less, saving more, making more
— Self-improvement: Read more books, learn a new skill or hobby
— Habit-breaking: Consume less or no alcohol, smoke fewer or no cigarettes

According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, of the 41 percent of Americans who usually make resolutions, only about 9 percent reported success in achieving their goal.

To make pledges stick, the American Psychological Association offers some advice:  
First, keep it simple and start small: Lofty goals and unrealistic expectations are seldom met. If needing to exercise, create a specific plan for a few days a week and work from there. For better nutrition, gradually add healthier foods into a diet. (Journals, apps and fitness watches can help with accountability.) Change one undesirable behavior over time instead of quitting cold turkey. And, talk about resolutions with others and ask for support.

Further, do not accept defeat at the first sign of failure. The APA offers this encouragement: “Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy.

Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.”

Friday
Jan 5, 2018 at 12:01 AM

Deena Bouknight More Content Now

All traditions have a starting point — even New Year’s resolutions. The modern Gregorian calendar is rooted in Roman history; Julius Caesar, in fact, named January the first month of the year in honor of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Because Janus has two faces, he can look back into the past and ahead into the future.

Thus, for centuries the ending of one year and the start of another has been seen as an opportunity to leave past foibles behind. This clean-slate mentality results in millions of people making promises, primarily to themselves, about what they will and will not do in the coming year.

Typical resolutions fall into a few general categories:
— Body/image-centered: Dieting, eating healthier, exercising more
— Financial: Spending less, saving more, making more
— Self-improvement: Read more books, learn a new skill or hobby
— Habit-breaking: Consume less or no alcohol, smoke fewer or no cigarettes

According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, of the 41 percent of Americans who usually make resolutions, only about 9 percent reported success in achieving their goal.

To make pledges stick, the American Psychological Association offers some advice:  
First, keep it simple and start small: Lofty goals and unrealistic expectations are seldom met. If needing to exercise, create a specific plan for a few days a week and work from there. For better nutrition, gradually add healthier foods into a diet. (Journals, apps and fitness watches can help with accountability.) Change one undesirable behavior over time instead of quitting cold turkey. And, talk about resolutions with others and ask for support.

Further, do not accept defeat at the first sign of failure. The APA offers this encouragement: “Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy.

Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.”