New Year’s Resolutions: Two Tips

By Lev Novak

It’s the New Year tomorrow night, something you’re probably aware of. Chances are you already have plans for the night, and some of you even have plans for the future. What are your resolutions? How do you want to change your life and improve?

Well, think again. Every year comes with a New Year, and chances are, they’ve all come with some form of resolution. How have those resolutions worked out for you? I’m guessing you forgot about them in February, and that’s okay. Everyone forgets their resolutions. Some people don’t even bother making them, and for the rest of us, the resolutions melt away with the snow.

But not this year.

That’s because 2013 is a dumb year. While I may be personally biased, I have higher hopes for 2014. It’s a nice, even number, and it’s full of promise and hope. So let’s figure out how to resolve.

1. Pick Something You Want To Do

No, you don’t want to go to the gym; you want to want to go to the gym, chances are. If you really wanted to go, you’d have already gone. So by picking a resolution to do something you don’t want to do, you’re putting your resolution in jeopardy. Instead, focus on something you both like and are good at.

For example, if you want to be physically fit, find what you like most. If you enjoy working out, work out more. But if you don’t be creative. Maybe you enjoy cooking more, and if you do, learning a really good veggie stir-fry recipe might be a better way to pursue health.

A resolution isn’t about being miserable. It’s about getting better.

2. Be Flexible

On paper, everything sounds easy.

On paper, waking up an hour earlier to work out before work doesn’t seem that hard- just go to sleep earlier! Cut back on drinking! No more fast food! How hard could it be? I just wrote those things down, so obviously, I can do them.

Unfortunately, life is hard. And writing something doesn’t make it so.

If you make an absolute statement about your life on paper, don’t be surprised when it doesn’t happen on paper. Sure, you can wake up early to work out- but what about that night you were up late with friends? Or you were sick? Or you went to visit your cousin for four days and, what, you’re supposed to join a gym for a week?

It’s easy to get discouraged and quit when things don’t line up. That’s why baby steps are important. Introduce some nuance into your goals; if they’re rigid, they’ll snap. If they’re flexible, they can bend and bend back.

Say you want to go the gym more. Say you want to eat fast food less. Set up a weekly phone call home, if you want to stay in touch more, but give yourself some flexibility. I call home on Fridays, but sometimes I’ll text. Sometimes I’ll call on Sunday, and sometimes I won’t. But the important thing is I allow myself the flexibility to change my schedule, and I don’t quit at a setback.

Life is hard sometimes, so don’t make it harder.

Share this article: