Last Monday's blog was my Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions, aka a half-assed pledge to be semi-productive in 2015 by doing things like sleeping more and vacuuming the car. I do not, as a rule, make New Years resolutions because I think resolutions are stupid and would like to call for an end to those ridiculous promises.
Sure they seem great on New Year’s Eve, even better when we're hung over on New Year’s Day and still pretty good by the middle of January. But by the time the Super Bowl comes around and we're ramming nachos into our mouth, our dreams of self-improvement have disappeared faster than a wiener in a hot dog eating contest.
Falling prey to resolution delusion is human nature. Everyone wants to improve themselves, but here are 5 reasons why you shouldn't bother making New Year’s promises.
Sure they seem great on New Year’s Eve, even better when we're hung over on New Year’s Day and still pretty good by the middle of January. But by the time the Super Bowl comes around and we're ramming nachos into our mouth, our dreams of self-improvement have disappeared faster than a wiener in a hot dog eating contest.
Falling prey to resolution delusion is human nature. Everyone wants to improve themselves, but here are 5 reasons why you shouldn't bother making New Year’s promises.
January 1st is a terrible start date. It seems like a great day to start new, after all, it’s the first day of the New Year and it marks the end of holiday partying parties, holiday food and holiday alcohol It’s the purge after the binge!
Except that it isn't. When it comes to making a significant lifestyle change, either you’re ready to do it RIGHT NOW or you aren't. January 1 isn't going to roll around and make it any easier to start logging treadmill time. If you can’t make smart choices before January 1, the chances of making a sustainable change on January 1 are slim. That’s because…
You just aren't ready to make a lifestyle change. Here's a truth bomb: New Year’s resolutions are usually sincere. People don’t say to themselves, “I'm going to take a quick stab at saving money, but if I'm not rich by February, I QUIT! ”
Most people DO want to save money. They DO want to be in shape. They DO want to quit smoking. The thing is, they aren't committed to those goals by the time the New Year rolls around. You have to be ready to start making lifestyle changes immediately, even if in modified form. While January 1 signifies the start of a new calendar, actual change starts with your internal clock, and that clock is already ticking.
Most people DO want to save money. They DO want to be in shape. They DO want to quit smoking. The thing is, they aren't committed to those goals by the time the New Year rolls around. You have to be ready to start making lifestyle changes immediately, even if in modified form. While January 1 signifies the start of a new calendar, actual change starts with your internal clock, and that clock is already ticking.
Traces of the holiday remain. It’s not like POOF! all physical remnants of Christmas magically disappear at midnight on January 1. When you wake up after New Year’s Eve, there are still candy canes and boxes of chocolates lying around. And never mind the fruitcake, which can last for decades. You've just spend the past six weeks stuffing your pie hole with all kinds of crap and your body has become accustomed to a steady stream sugar and sloth. Go ahead and go cold turkey and start eating salads for lunch. I’m sure it’ll be as easy as…pie. Or a piece of cake.
We set our expectations too high. You can’t approach your goals with an all or nothing” mentality. There's nothing wrong with aiming high but occasionally have to accept that there are some targets that aren't reachable, need modification or will take more time than you originally planned.
Wanting to lose 20 pounds is awesome -- but taking a pissy bitch fit and giving up by mid-February because you haven’t seen enough of a change is a thousand times wrong. It’s so wrong, we might need to open up a window and let some of the wrong out. Change takes time, perseverance and commitment. Without those things…
Momentum dies fast. I to the gym on a pretty regular basis, but I tend to work out more at home during the month of January. Why? Because I know the treadmills and free weights will be occupied from dusk to dawn with people who made a New Year’s resolution to “get in shape.” But by February, the gym will be nearly empty again and I can return to my routine in relative peace.
If you remember anything from this post, let it be this: You don’t need to wait until January 1 to make changes in your life. You can get up from your desk or bed or comfy couch and do something right now – anytime – even on a random day like June 2, if you want.
The key is to figure out what’s making you unhappy and start the journey of changing it. Instead of resolving to make major changes RIGHT NOW, promise yourself that you will be in a different place in your life next year by changing a little bit every single day.
That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!
That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!
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