Why You Should Ditch New Year’s Resolutions
Focus on Year-Round Self-Improvement Instead
Who doesn’t want to lose a few pounds, eat healthier, save more money or give up bad habits like smoking? The New Year seems to bring about pressure to improve ourselves. Every year about 45% of Americans make resolutions, but only about 8% achieve their goal. Why?
The reason many of us fail has to do with the types of resolutions we are making. You can set the goal of losing 30 pounds, but if you don’t create a realistic strategy to lose the weight you won’t succeed. Another mistake is making too many resolutions. You will be more successful if you focus on one area that you would like to improve and develop a strategy to do so.
The idea behind making a resolution is great, but we might all be more successful if we invest time and energy in improving ourselves year-round, not just when January 1st pops up on the calendar. Every day presents an opportunity to improve, so take advantage of it.
Here are 5 ways to improve and make you feel better about yourself and life all year round.
1. Notice the Good – It’s easy to dwell on the negatives in life, but in the process you probably overlook the good. The more we are grateful for the good things in life, the happier we’ll be because less energy is wasted on negatives. The next time you’re stuck in traffic on the way to dropping your child off at school, be grateful for the extra time you get to spend with them instead of focusing on being late. Thank your spouse when they have a delicious meal waiting for you. Keep a gratitude journal and record five things each day that you’re grateful for. When you look back you will remind yourself that there are a lot of positives in your life even when you think there aren’t.
2. Pay Attention to the Mind & Body – Are you getting headaches every day? Dreading the thought of going to work? Maybe you just feel physically drained all the time. It’s important to pay attention to the signals our body and mind are sending because maybe it’s time to make a change. Maybe you need to say no to some invitations or look for a more fulfilling job. Try to identify what in your life is causing distress and look for solutions.
3. Smile – Even when you don’t want to, smile! Researchers have found that smiling boosts mood and reduces stress hormones in the body.
4. Accept Yourself – It’s fine to want to improve aspects of yourself, but don’t try to be someone you’re not and don’t beat yourself up for being who you are. Once you start accepting who you are, more happiness will make its way into your life. Maybe you have a mental illness or you’re shy. Accept yourself and then be kind. Would you make your friend feel bad about themselves if they were in the same boat? Probably not, so you should treat yourself with that same kindness.
5. Try Your Best – That is all we can do. We can’t be perfect at everything, but if you know you have put forth your best effort, give yourself credit even if others don’t. This will help you accept yourself more and help you focus on the positives. Maybe someone else got the job and you didn’t, but you know you did great in the interview. Give yourself credit for that and keep working towards your goal.