Thursday’s Thoughts – Random

Last Thursday of the year, so why not do one that has a focus on New Year’s Resolutions! Everyone does one or two. Maybe you are the type of person that makes a list of resolutions for your professional and personal life.

I was thinking the other day about the resolutions that I have made over the years and how well they have gone… It was a completely short and wonderful list of “zero!”

Let’s think about those resolutions that are just bad ideas…

1. Anything to do with losing weight! For the folks that worry about the number on the scale! Picking a number to get to – to help them feel good about themselves? How about the resolutions that set up goals that are way out of whack with expectations and ability? Or maybe going on a trendy new diet? Vowing to eliminate carbs and fats from your diet. Each start out with great intentions and maybe will work, but the success rate is really low.
2. I’m going to join a gym! For those of us that go to the gym, we hate this time of the year – we know that there will be an increase in new members that will be hitting the gym. We will have to wait for machines, treadmills, stair masters and bikes. But that is only temporary, just give it a month or two – all back to normal.
3. Going to mediate every day! Really…. Good luck with that one.
4. Anything that starts with “Be Better” – totally vague resolutions.
5. Anything that is negative – those “stop” doing X, “Don’t” watch TV, “Avoid” eating sweets. Positioning on those in the negative really set up the resolution for failure.

We all have the best intentions when reflecting on what we want to do differently in the upcoming new year. We usually start out pretty good! But, really how far have you made it with the resolutions?

There are ways to do better… Like having realistic resolutions that are you can track. A system of reviewing your progress and making adjustments as needed. Keeping that resolution in front of you at all times. Letting people know that will hold you accountable if you slip up. Many things…

Which resolutions did you have that you completely were successful with? How did you do it?

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