It is just over six weeks since January 1 and you began practicing your New Year’s Resolutions. How are you doing in adopting healthier behaviors? If you haven’t accomplished what you set out to do, take heart, you are not alone. It’s said that one-third of New Year’s Resolutions are abandoned before the end of January. There are many reasons why resolutions are not fulfilled. Ask yourself the following questions to find out if you made any of these mistakes.
1. Was this the right time for me to take on a behavior change?
Although the beginning of a new year is a natural time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future it might not be an appropriate time for you to take on such a commitment. Changing behavior is difficult. It takes time, energy, motivation, perseverance, and focus to achieve.
2. Did I take on too much?
You don’t have to do everything right now! Often we are at different places of readiness to change various behaviors. Concentrate on what you most want and are willing to do today and once that is reached move on.
3. Was I focused only on long-term outcomes?
It is important to set shorter-term resolutions/goals so that you will experience success and maintain motivation. Whenever possible goals should also address aspects that you can control such as your performance and attitudes.
4. Why did I set that resolution?
Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. Society tells us that we should all be thinner with a flat stomach but have you ever asked yourself why you want to lose weight? How your life will be different if you weighed less? There are pros and cons to every behavior change, make sure you have more pros before you go forward with yours.
5. Did I reward myself for small successes?
Any small step toward achieving your goal is reason to celebrate. Give yourself credit for what you have done rather than always looking at what still remains.
If you didn’t succeed this time – try, try again. Any time can be the right time to start living healthier!
