Welcome to 2021, a brand-new year. It’s an empty page, waiting to be written on. What are your hopes, dreams, and goals for this year? Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Or are you unwilling to do so because you’ve broken all your past ones?
If you’ve had bad experiences with resolutions in the past, this post is for you. Likely you’ve experienced one or more of the following problems making and keeping your resolutions. After each problem, I’ve proposed a solution that might work for you.
Problem 1: I’m too busy for resolutions. Life gets in the way of getting them done.
Solution: Ask yourself if all the things you’re currently doing with your time are more important than your resolution. If so, fine, don’t change anything. However, I suspect you’ll find some things you’re doing are less important than your resolution, and the real problem lies elsewhere on this list.
Problem 2: I just lack willpower. I don’t have the discipline to follow through on my resolutions.
Solution: In the moment of decision, remember why you made your resolution. Remember why you think it’s important.
Problem 3: The resolution was easy to make, but now seems too big. It’s overwhelming.
Solution: Break it into parts. Make it a project with several manageable tasks. Do the tasks one at a time.
Problem 4: I like my resolution, but don’t really know how to accomplish it. (Example: “I want a life of joy.”)
Solution: Rewrite your resolution to be actionable. Start it with an action verb. (Example: “Find joy in everything, if possible, and spread it to others. When not possible, seek to re-attain the feeling of joy as soon as I can.”)
Problem 5: My resolution seemed like a good idea, but it’s a little vague. Now that I read it again, I’m not sure how or when to say I’ve accomplished it. (Example: “Lose weight.”)
Solution: Rewrite your resolution in a more specific way. Assign dates and measurable outcomes. (Example: “Lose 20 pounds by August 31, and keep the weight off through the end of this year.”)
Problem 6: Whenever I work on my resolution, I just can’t get anywhere. It’s easier to forget the whole thing.
Solution: Visualize a future in which you’ve accomplished the resolution. Imagine your life after that goal is achieved. Paint a mental picture of success. Rewrite your resolution, if necessary, to include and reinforce that vision.
Problem 7: I wrote down my resolutions and stuck them in a drawer. Now I’ve forgotten all about them.
Solution: Find a short motivational phrase, ideally a single word that represents your resolution. Recall Winston Churchill’s catchword: “Victory.” Put it everywhere you’re likely to notice it. (You can still keep a longer version, perhaps broken down into separate tasks as mentioned in Problem 3 above, but the short version is meant to inspire you to work on the remaining tasks.)
Now you’re well on your way to making resolutions that work for you. Here’s a fine example to get you started: I resolve to read all the weekly blogposts written by—
Poseidon’s Scribe
