Every January 1st, millions of people (I haven’t verified this number, but it certainly seems accurate.) make New Year’s resolutions. By January 10th, (Also not verified, but you know I’m right.) they’ve given up on that resolution. Most of those millions of people are annoyed and frustrated with themselves before the first month of the new year is over. They’ve essentially failed and now feel like big, miserable losers. Happy January to you, too!
I get the concept of resolutions. I’ve certainly committed (and failed) to a few myself. Over the last few years I’ve stopped making resolutions and started doing some serious soul searching. Here’s what I ask myself at the beginning of the new year: “If I don’t change, am I likely to have a relatively miserable year?” The first year that I asked myself this was the year I started my business. I was not doing what I loved and that was making me miserable. I didn’t change my weight, my appearance, or even my messy closet, because those things weren’t making me unhappy. Not contributing to the world in a way that meant something to me was making me unhappy. So I changed it.
So what is one thing that needs to be changed in your life?
Each year since, I have asked myself that question. One year I decided to improve a relationship with a loved one. Another year, it was to give up guilt. (That was a tough one.) And one year, it was to stop judging myself so harshly. This year, it is to get my webinar program up and running (I’ll keep you posted) because it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years. I’m ready now. If I don’t do it, I’ll feel as if something important is missing from my life.
So what is one thing that needs to be changed in your life? One thing, not twenty, that needs to change to make your year fabulous? Pick that one thing, specifically lay out how you will change and then commit to it. Commit to it each and every day of 2016. Tell yourself how important this change is to you. Put it on your calendar, share your commitment with others, and hold yourself accountable.
Let me know what you are committing to and how I can help you hold yourself to it. Happy 2016 to all of you!
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC
Great article, Lisa. After feeling some anxiety about the New Year, and having the feeling of “starting over” from Ground Zero, you’ve given me a tool to shift my focus. I’m feeling less stress already! And – Happy New Year to you!
Thanks, Bonita! I think women tend to pile on too many “resolutions” and then they feel as if they’ve failed if they don’t follow all of them. Happy New Year to you too!