- The gym is getting slightly less crowded yet you have regularly heard the phrase "I really should be going to the gym today" from your colleagues
- There is less resistance to a glass of wine after work
- Your fridge contains one of your favourite desserts... and less salad / notably healthy food
- The word detox comes up less frequently in conversations
- The bus is again deemed appropriate for a short trip up the road
- Nights in the office are getting slightly later
- Calls to members of your family are becoming less of a priority
- Keenness to budget is waning slightly
It is not uncommon that even a mere 3 weeks into January, enthusiasm wanes and fervour for achieving fabulous New Year's resolutions ebb. The wanting remains but the correlating action becomes less and less frequent.
... and the naysayers love it! A large proportion of people profess not to make resolutions because they never work, and with that attitude, it's no wonder.
So... while I am not claiming that sticking to New Year's resolutions are easy... here are some tips to help you stay on track:
1. Change your vocabulary... immediately! As articles such as this one in the Herald Sun, this one in the Daily Mail and this (quite helpful one) in Forbes show... even people who still make resolutions often expect to break them before the end of the first month of the year. See the Forbes articles for some insightful solutions - but first take heed of this key piece of advice... do not use the word resolution again! It's tarnished. Scandalised... and even a little bit hopeless.
Instead, why don't you use the word "promise". Take a moment. Feel the power and the difference that makes. I bet you even let out a little sigh and dropped your shoulders a bit. A promise. Psychologically, that is a different thing entirely... a responsibility that you are less keen to let go casually.
2. Set yourself 'promises' that are within your control. For example, while it would be foolish of me to resolve that I will have my post wedding motivation coaching book published (through a traditional publisher) this year, I can promise that I will complete it within the first half of 2012 and actively search for an agent to represent me.
Another example would be to promise yourself that you will eat better (to be quantified, see #3) this year... in a bid to lose weight... or to leave the office by 6pm 3 times a week, unless there's a major project on.
3. Set SMART promises. You know the ones. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Phased. Give your promises deadlines and remember, that you can make promises to yourself year round. January is not your only opportunity to tweak, set, establish, reconfirm and... okay, I'll say it... resolve to achieve your aims
While the above is no guarantee of success... the move to work on your promises to yourself (as opposed to resolutions, the latter being something it is socially accepted and expected that you will fail at) will make a big difference. Try it!
