Those of you who know the game of games, chess, know that much thought, strategic planning and adherence to the plan are deciding factors in the outcome. Without these, nothing will be accomplished. Perhaps it is similar with New Year’s resolutions. We really owe it to ourselves to improve our circumstances. Each of us carries responsibility for his or her own life.
New Year’s Eve – the Beginning
Most people love New Year’s Eve, maybe because of the food and fun. At the same time, this last day of the calendar year holds a natural promise of a new beginning. For many, it makes sense to take the opportunity and bid bad habits adieu. Why not?
Unfortunately, many good resolutions are soon broken or forgotten. I would like to present my findings on how to best deal with the subject of resolutions, which I have gathered from various sources.
Classical New Year’s Resolutions
Undoubtedly one of the most widely practiced resolutions is
Live More Healthfully
For sensible, purposeful people, this is a great subject. Health is our most important treasure, and we only have one. When it’s gone, life looks completely different.
As you may read in the highly recommended NEWSTART-PLUS - BLOGs , a holistic view of health is necessary, which promotes a healthy balance of exercise and rest, fresh air, nutrition, water, sunshine and trust in God.
Finally Free!
Tackling addictions is difficult. One needs to be highly motivated, and not just for the first week of January! As you can read in the blog on the frontal lobe, the secret of success in this area is directly dependent on the care it receives. Sonnmatt has wonderful courses to help smokers get free. It’s the best and most successful method I know.
New Priorities and Time Management
Beside health, there are other important subjects. Of those, PARTNER and FAMILY are most likely highest on the list. There are a thousand topics that steal our valuable time, but end in nothing. If we can get these time killers under control, our lives will be much better. We must take time for our relationships, for they, and the love we have for one other, are the best components for health and healing, whether physically, emotionally or mentally.
A somewhat modern and very wise resolution might be to do a digital detox. Increasing numbers of individuals are falling victim to these dopamine providers. Instead of a real love source, many try to fill their empty love tanks with happy hormones produced by gaming and social media. However, this is a dead end street.
Here is the “Best of” list from last year. Maybe there’s something in it for you.
Top 10 Favorite Resolutions:
1. Improve fitness We all know that regular exercise has more health benefits than anything else out there. Studies have shown that improving your fitness also improves your mood, mentality and reduces the risk of some cancers, not to mention it keeps you in shape. So find some exercise you enjoy, and do it regularly!
2. Eat better Try a whole food, plant-based diet. Here’s a link to our daughter’s Cookbook .
3. Quit smoking If this is you, click on that Sonnmatt link above and join us for the course.
4. Quit drinking If you have decided that you'd like to quit drinking this year there is a lot of help and support available. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous offers regular meetings and there are a lot of clinics out there to help.
5. Learn something new Maybe you're looking to take up a new hobby or learn a new language for upcoming travels. With the Internet, you can learn almost anything!
6. Travel more You can visit beautiful places, experience different cultures, discover a new cuisine or explore your own back yard.)
7. Volunteer Helping others in need is a great and selfless New Year's Resolution. Whether you'd like to head overseas to volunteer, help disadvantaged kids in your local area or something else, there are a lot of organizations out there that can make it happen. By the way, this one can easily be combined with point #6.
8. Meet someone Sometimes we feel like the time has come, and we just HAVE to find a partner! There are good places and not so good places to meet quality partners. It’s a good idea to think about what kind of person would suit you best and measure a prospective partner by that standard before you fall in love. Frontal activity tends to wane during periods of infatuation.
9. Sleep more Tired of being tired? There are more benefits to getting a good night’s sleep than just feeling more refreshed. A proper snooze can do all kinds of things, including keeping your metabolism going strong, helping you concentrate better, and making you less likely to get sick.
10. Get out of debt Debt is definitely a four-letter word that can ruin your life. If you would like to find freedom from this problem, it’s important to find and plan a strategy. I’ll say more on this hot topic in a future blog.)
10 Reasons Why Resolutions Often Fail
Here are a few suggestions of how one might learn from past mistakes. Any resolutions made while under the influence of alcohol will usually be forgotten by the next day. It seems a necessity to make resolutions binding, like a contract. Our enemy, our weak inner self, is often against such measures. It does not welcome any uncomfortable changes, but rather loves the path of least resistance.
Your resolution was not formulated as a measurable goal. “I want to lose a few pounds” is not specific enough. A resolution should be measurable, with step by step goals and dates.
Your resolution was formulated in a negative way. “I want to eat less chocolate.” If you add some reasons to this, like “for my health” or “to clear my conscience,” for instance, because chocolate producers often use forced child labor LINK, it will have a greater impact on your behavior and resolve.
Your resolution was not carried out regularly. “I want to do more sports, but only when the weather is nice.” Jogging twice a week might go well for a while, but is too easily forgotten.
You didn’t really want to do it. Resolutions are part of celebrating the New Year. Since everybody else is doing it, you make one too. At least it was a nice thought.
New Year was not the best time to implement. Sometimes it’s better to make a resolution at another time, when it can be done more voluntarily, like NOW :-) !
You tried to do it all by yourself. “I won’t tell anyone what I’m trying to change.” The advantage here is that you are only responsible to yourself, but the added incentive of public obligation could also be helpful and motivating.
You didn’t write it down. “I’m going back to the gym in March.” But by March, all your confidants have forgotten about it. Write it in your calendar or put it on your refrigerator.
True motivation was missing. “I want to do more sports,” is not a healthy motive as such. “I want to lose 10 pounds this year,” sounds much better.
You didn’t know how to make it happen. “I want to learn to play a new musical instrument.” This resolution can fail by just not being able to choose an instrument.
Your New Year’s resolution was completely unrealistic. “This year I’m going to lose 40 pounds!” This would not only be extremely difficult, but also dangerous! Never start your program with a marathon!
Now let’s look at a few positive suggestions:
10 Ways to Make Your Resolutions Stick
Choose the right moment. Sometimes January 1 is not the best day to start with an important new resolution.
Less is often more! Too many resolutions can spoil the broth. Instead, concentrate on one or two resolutions that you can really put your heart into. Set realistic goals.
Write your resolutions down. Things that are put down in writing are more meaningful. Things that are “only in your head” can be forgotten much too quickly.
Place the paper somewhere where you and others can see it. Regular reminders can raise motivation.
Make a radical new start. Starting slow and easy can often lead to half-heartedness, which easily can end in nothing. 100% commitment will more likely be rewarded with success.
Count on difficulties. Challenges are the best opportunities to build strength. Use them to your advantage. “I REALLY feel like a piece of chocolate!” Such thoughts will come, but with the right attitude, they can be overcome, and your will will be strengthened.
Dwell on the positive! Instead of thinking, “I don’t feel like going to the gym!” replace that thought with, “I always feel so much better when I’m finished with my fitness training!”
Take advantage of any possible support! “Shared suffering is only half as hard.” If you share your challenges with your family and/or friends, you may get some much-needed support. For some activities, like sports, there are groups you can join.
Note your progress! For certain resolutions it makes sense to chart progress daily.
10. Celebrate success! BUT not like the guy in this picture! If you plan some smart rewards for certain goals reached, they can be great motivation raisers. Don’t use rewards that would weaken your ambition to reach your goal.
Further Suggestions:
Get in touch with family and friends at least once a month.
Read 5 intelligent books in exchange for less TV and computer games.
Learn to say, “No, thank you!” to sweets, alcohol, tobacco, etc.
Read the Gospel of Luke (again) by the middle of the year.
Surprise someone once a month with a surprise gift.
Learn about the love languages of three most-valued relationships. (LINK)
Refrain from eating between meals.
If you have any suggestions for a resolution, you’re welcome to add it below. Thank you for your support and may you have a successful 2019!
Verwendete Quellen : Link-1 - Link-2 - Link-3 - Link-4
Source in English : Link-5
