This is the time of year where you take stock of the year that was. You look back on what was good and…not so good. After the hype, hurry and hustle of the holidays, a restructure of routine begins. It is a natural cycle that takes us full circle from routine, through the build-up of the holidays, and back to a routine again.
As you find yourself at the top of this cycle, begin to thoughtfully evaluate what you would like the New Year to look like. Most people take an all or nothing approach. They look back at where their past habits have taken them and don’t like the final destination. In an attempt to achieve a new outcome, people head gung-ho into a totally new lifestyle. This is a recipe for disaster.
The habits that got you where you are, are comfortable. People like comfortable, and gravitate toward it. Anything too far from your zone of comfort will have a shelf-life. You can do it for a while, but when the new wears off, you will revert back to your old and more comfortable ways. This will be the result when you attempt too much, too soon.
Because of past failures, many people have given up even making a New Year’s resolution. This is throwing the baby out with the bath water. The process of personal evaluation and revision, is an important part of a creating a fulfilling life. When we forgo the opportunity to make healthy changes based on our evaluation of current habits, we actually go backward. Look at this year in a new light. Use this process to shape a new lifestyle that will bring you health and happiness in any circumstance.
How can you make healthy changes in your lifestyle that will stand the test of time? The following list will help you redirect the new year to reflect the lifestyle you want to have. The goal is to ease into your changes. This will allow you to keep them for the long haul. To make 2010 your best year to date, follow this simple formula.
1. Fully understand what behaviors need changed.
2. Write down the exact behaviors you want to target.
3. Brainstorm ideas that can make those behavior changes happen.
4. Breakdown each area and list the actions chosen for their achievement.
5. Create a priority timeline.
6. Target one specific and SIMPLE behavior for each week.
7. Make each behavior specific, manageable and realistic. (Consider breaking some goals into smaller, more manageable parts-you’ve got the time, use it!)
8. Hold yourself accountable for that target behavior during that week.
9. Each week add a new specific and SIMPLE behavior, while still keeping up with the previous ones. (Stay accountable; get a partner if you need to.)
10. Keep balance; never take away an undesirable behavior without adding a viable replacement.
Having a realistic plan and being accountable to it are the keys to your success. Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they take on too much in too short a time. Vow to not make this common mistake. Remember just because you physically can do more, does not mean that you should. By following this simple formula you can achieve healthy changes that will stand the test of time.