Happy New Years! The tradition of marking a new year with resolutions is a cultural phenomenon that many take seriously vowing to make healthier choices or changes. Starting on the 1st …, I resolve …."
In fact, according to statistics, 40 – 45% of Americans will make a New Year’s resolution. Unfortunately, after week number one, 75% have already given up. Why is that?
Perhaps we try too hard to accomplish the goal too quickly or in an unrealistic manner. Is it poor planning - jumping ahead without first setting up small attainable goals in order to reach the ultimate goal. For some of us it’s a matter of failure to reach out for the proper assistance or support necessary to make the proposed life style changes.
There is a commonality with Americans and our resolutions. The most common ones are quit smoking, lose weight, get organized, and part of the theme of organization includes that of balancing ones life between work and play or in other words, organizing time. For a list of resources to help you with these resolutions see Senior Approved Services
So far today I have done all right. I have not gossiped. I have not lost my temper. I have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, proud or overindulgent. I have kept my New Year's resolutions to lose weight (quit smoking, become organized, fill in the blank) I am a healthy, calm, joyful, forgiving, prosperous woman (or man) I am very thankful for my success today.
But in a few minutes, God, I am going to get out of bed ...
I like to remember that I am the author of my life, that I create my own reality. This may seem a little frightening to some, but just keep in mind that as the author, you retain all rights to editing.
Visualizing Your Resolutions
works for many people as they begin to make life changes. The idea is to visualize in your mind what you may look like as a person of your ideal weight. What your life looks like as a non-smoker. Seeing, in your mind’s eye if you will, how smoothly your day unfolds as an organized person.
If you’ve intensely impressed upon your conscious and unconscious mind a life style choice (simply because you’ve done ‘this’ or ‘that’ for many many years, as an example smoking for 30 or 40 years) it may be nearly impossible for you to see yourself as a non-smoker. In this case an alternative mental image may be required. Perhaps simply seeing your self a healthy vibrant person that doesn’t have difficulty breathing.
Affirmations of Your Resolutions
Some folks swear by affirmations and certainly affirmations do work but you have to understand at least three key elements to making an affirmation. One of my favorite quotes is from the book of Proverbs chapter 23 verse 7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.” And this quote may bring you the confidence you need in order to boldly make an affirmation.
The affirmation must be stated in the ‘now’ not in the future. (“I chose to stop smoking right now!” is much more powerful than “I want to quit smoking”)
The affirmation must state your intention clearly (“I am a healthy and vibrant woman” is far more affirming than “I will not be overweight”)
The affirmation must be yours. (“I plan my day in an organized manner” is a statement vastly different from “I would like to be an organized person”)
Dreams and Goals
When making resolutions many people mix up the concept of goals and dreams. Dreams are your ultimate destination, while goals are the intermediate stops along the way. Dreams represent what you want and why, while goals represent your plan to get you there.
Dreams can be big and may actually appear to be so grand that you can’t reach it. However, without dreams – big daring dreams – you have little chance of becoming or achieving your ultimate heart’s desire. Dreaming is valuable.
If you look at dreaming as wishing and goals as a road map it may help. Start with making a master Wish List. Write down your ultimate dreams – all that you aspire to achieve. Be very clear.
Answer the why question. If you want to quit smoking, why? Lose weight? Why? Become more organized, why? What’s in it for you? What are your perceived rewards or benefits to this dream perception of what you’d like? Your reward must far outweigh any pain or discomfort you will feel when you begin to pursue your dream as a bonifide goal.
Then, from your Wish List, select one (or more) that you want to take from wishing for to working towards. These then become your goals.
Write your goal down stating it as what it is in total fulfillment. Let’s say you wish you could lose weight. And now, you’ve decided that you are actually ready to transform that wish in to a goal. How much weight do you want to lose? If, for example, you wanted to lose 30 pounds, now you have to clearly map out the steps to reaching this goal.
Step one may be to see a nutritionilist for advice and support. Step two may be to record your present weight and body measurements. Step three may be to eat one healthy meal a day for seven days, allowing yourself to keep your present food choices, as is the remainder of the day.
Step four might be to eat 2 healthy meals a day for the next 7 days, step 5; you’re now eating 3 healthy meals a day. Step six may be to begin adding an exercise regiment to your daily life, again beginning slowly – perhaps 10 minutes a day until you’ve worked up to 30 or 40 minutes a day over time.
Slowly, one step at a time, setting small attainable goals in order to reach the ultimate goal of losing 30 pounds is much more reasonable than demanding an overnight change.
Obstacles challenging your Resolutions
Recognizing any possible obstacles that may sabotage your desired resolutions is an important step. Reflect on why you struggle with your weight, or with an unhealthy addiction such as smoking. What triggers it for you? Stress? Other people? Work?
You probably cannot eliminate stress, other people or work from your life (unless you are prepared to join a monestary somewhere that would take you :)) but you can learn how to process these obstacles in a more positive manner than reaching for another piece of cake or lighting up. Keeping your affirmations close to you in written form so that you can quickly advert your attention to your promises to yourself may prove to be quite valuable.
Breathe
Breathing is a great diversionary tactic for you to add in to your arsenal. Of course you breathe, if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here to read this. I’m talking about deliberate breathing. When obstacles fall in your path threatening to overcome your will power to stay true to your goal, take one minute – 60 precious seconds – and stop everything and simply take a deep cleansing breath.
Breathing from the bottom of your belly through your nose (curling your tongue up to touch the roof of your mouth) and then slowing, exhale until all air is out of your belly allowing the exhaled breath to leave through your mouth. It is amazing how quickly and effective this simple little exercise truly is and you won’t believe me until you actually give it a try.
Some ideas to ponder while you work on your resolutions
Emile Coue, a French Psychotherapist (1857 – 1926) wrote, “Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better.”
You are right now the sum total of all that you have read, heard, eaten, drank, watched on TV, felt, smelled, and of your dreams. If you are not happy with your life then you must have the courage to change your input. If you continue to read the same things, eat the same, drink the same, watch the same TV programs, smell the same things and dream the same, then you will continue to get the same. Input = Output. This is a Universal law. Change the input and you change the output.
Make an effort to incorporate a feeling of joy and gratefulness in to everything you do. Everything. And while you are concentrating on doing this, you will find that what ever you are doing in the moment, you are actually right there. You are no longer, for instance, folding laundry mindlessly allowing your mind to wander in to thoughts of wishing you were doing something more exciting. You are folding the towels with joy, feeling grateful that you own towels that you had a washing machine and dryer to clean your towels that you have the physical ability to fold them, and so forth.
If you feel stressed or are feeling conflict and turmoil you may need to take some time to ponder on why this is. Are you living your life in a manner that is representative of your true nature? If you are lying to yourself – you will indeed have conflict. A person that perceives them selves as being an honest person will feel great discomfort if he or she tells a lie or is tempted to steal.
“Doctor, it hurts when I do this.” Answer. “Don’t do that anymore.”
Finally. You are not alone and your struggle, though felt as being uniquely yours, has most likely been overcome by another. Find examples of successful people and reach out to them. Read their books, learn from their experience, and reach out for that helping hand.
Senior Approved Services has many of these successful men and women within our network who are happy to help you as you begin your journey of creating the life you want yourself to live.
Advanced Laser Solutions (located in Ohio) has a successful method to help you quit smoking and also to lose weight.
Businesses offering assistance to help you organize your life (both personal and business life) are featured within the Senior Approved Network of services. Please also see Care Central an organizing tool for family caregivers - yours to keep free of charge!
