Interestingly and conversely, the best resolutions occur after blood test results and/or a statement from your GP that goes a little like "lose some weight or you’ll die….”
Anyway, as I say, I love NYR’s - they’re funny. My brother (who is a borderline alcoholic - and I say borderline only because he may read this!) has resolved to cut out alcohol for the whole of January, with the exception of the 1st to the 5th of January as there are way too many people around who may distract him from his solid intention to stick to the NYR. After that, he will get back to a consistent 4 - 5 standard drinks per day.
The point being, if you want to change your life, make the decision to change today and gather the support and resources to see it through. You don’t need a special date and you need to avoid getting to the point where the change is imposed upon you!
Here’s 5 ways to improve your chances of success:
1. Write it down
This needs to include the REAL and PERSONAL reasons why it is important to you e.g. I want to live long enough to see my kids get married, I don’t want to feel ashamed in my swimwear anymore, if I don’t change jobs this year, I may well jump in front of a slow moving bus…..
2. Do your research
What assistance and resources do you need to increase the chances of success? You will not be the first person to set the goal you have in mind and there are very likely harder v’s easier ways to achieve your goal if you ask for help.
3. Share it with others
Can you do it on your own? Who will help and support you with your goal. Do you have people around you that will be supportive? Equally as important, steer clear of the saboteurs!
4. Make sure it is well defined (SMART)
5. Monitor your progress
Knowing how you are tracking against your goal is the difference between success and failure. Break down your goal into digestible chunks (mind the pun) and then measure, measure measure. For example, rather than ‘I want to lose 20 kgs’, which is likely to be doomed, go for ‘I will lose 1 kg per week consistently for the next 20 weeks’ and monitor that this is being achieved and if not, revisit points 1 - 4!
So, what's your NYR?
