Thousands of us leap into the New Year with lofty promises to ourselves. We will lose weight, make money and have sex twice a week. We swear to let go of the past and master soufflés.
Come February, we're more focused on flowers for Valentine's Day than sticking to these rose-coloured resolution lists.
We fail to follow through, psychologists say, because we want fast results and tend to procrastinate. We can't sustain the effort needed to improve our lifestyles because we spread ourselves too thin, wanting too much all at once.
Resolutions are revitalising - but you need to keep them real. Give your wish list an overhaul by making long-term reachable goals that last way beyond Auld Lang Syne.
1. LIFE 'S A JOURNEY.
Focus on attitude, not the end result. If you want to exercise more, don't make mental notes to run around the block after work every day. Just put on your trainers and start running. You 'll clock up more miles if you replace plans with action.
2. IF IT AIN'T BROKE...
Sometimes we feel compelled to change. Social pressure, boredom and fear propel us into making a new start. Often, if we examine our present situations, things aren't all bad. They may, in fact, be very good. Making a change simply for the sake of change doesn 't work - while failing to attain a half-hearted goal can actually set you back. So if it's working, why fix it?
3. START YESTERDAY.
Waiting until after your daughter's wedding before renovating the spare room is subtle procrastination. Once you have a goal, take steps to achieve it. Clear out clutter, make plans to clean the carpet next week and choose a colour scheme - today.
4. MAKE PAIN A PLEASURE.
Most resolutions play on our weaknesses. We want better bodies, homes or relationships. Problem is, no pain, no gain: We have to give up a certain level of comfort first. Re-wire your brain to react positively to these feelings of deprivation. If you're cutting calories, don't succumb to self-pity over a growling stomach and chocolate-free desk. Rather interpret this "lack" as a reward - your body is experiencing a health-boosting detox that nukes cellulite and loves skinny jeans.
5. SWAP BAD HABITS FOR GOOD ONES.
What's the point of a resolution if it makes you miserable? If you're trying to kick an unhealthy habit, replace it with a positive one. Money-saving goals may mean the end of weekend mall-trawling, but you could rekindle your passion for biking instead. It's fun, free and takes your mind off the January sales.
6. SHOUT ABOUT IT.
Real goals aren't like wishing on stars - you don't have to keep them a secret. Telling lots of people what you're up to gives you less room to fail. Imagine a chorus of "I told you so" from family and friends when your focus falters. Having a team behind you makes winning much easier. And the reward of reaching a goal is twice as sweet when you've proved someone wrong.
7. TRASH THE TRIGGERS.
We are creatures of habit. Often, we find it hard to keep a resolution because we stick to an old routine. Perhaps you want to up your water intake and cut out fizzy drinks. Small changes work wonders - stock up on bottled water and ask someone else to buy your toasted tuna on rye at lunchtime. That way, you won't walk past take-away shops every day and the trigger is eliminated for good.
8. WRITE IT DOWN.
We record our resolutions with great enthusiasm at the beginning of the year. But where have you written them? In a document on your computer or a notebook that is opened once in a blue moon? Resolutions must be in your face, where you can see them every single day. Be practical. Your daily diary, the fridge or your car are excellent spots.
9. DON'T CHOKE ON CHANGE.
Being wildly ambitious is easy on paper. The reality is that a goal is only attainable in small bites. Jumping from Saturdays on the couch into 30-kilometres hikes every weekend takes lots of little leaps of faith. Rather re-lace your hiking boots and go for a brisk stroll around the neighbourhood for starters. Nibbling at your goal means you experience regular bursts of achievement, instead of day-dreaming about future success.
10. TAKE PRIDE IN THE PAST.
Have respect and reverence for who you are now, how you got here and why. Give yourself the chance to change, but don't try to erase your personal history. Resolutions are practical tools - not magic wands.
Come February, we're more focused on flowers for Valentine's Day than sticking to these rose-coloured resolution lists.
We fail to follow through, psychologists say, because we want fast results and tend to procrastinate. We can't sustain the effort needed to improve our lifestyles because we spread ourselves too thin, wanting too much all at once.
Resolutions are revitalising - but you need to keep them real. Give your wish list an overhaul by making long-term reachable goals that last way beyond Auld Lang Syne.
1. LIFE 'S A JOURNEY.
Focus on attitude, not the end result. If you want to exercise more, don't make mental notes to run around the block after work every day. Just put on your trainers and start running. You 'll clock up more miles if you replace plans with action.
2. IF IT AIN'T BROKE...
Sometimes we feel compelled to change. Social pressure, boredom and fear propel us into making a new start. Often, if we examine our present situations, things aren't all bad. They may, in fact, be very good. Making a change simply for the sake of change doesn 't work - while failing to attain a half-hearted goal can actually set you back. So if it's working, why fix it?
3. START YESTERDAY.
Waiting until after your daughter's wedding before renovating the spare room is subtle procrastination. Once you have a goal, take steps to achieve it. Clear out clutter, make plans to clean the carpet next week and choose a colour scheme - today.
4. MAKE PAIN A PLEASURE.
Most resolutions play on our weaknesses. We want better bodies, homes or relationships. Problem is, no pain, no gain: We have to give up a certain level of comfort first. Re-wire your brain to react positively to these feelings of deprivation. If you're cutting calories, don't succumb to self-pity over a growling stomach and chocolate-free desk. Rather interpret this "lack" as a reward - your body is experiencing a health-boosting detox that nukes cellulite and loves skinny jeans.
5. SWAP BAD HABITS FOR GOOD ONES.
What's the point of a resolution if it makes you miserable? If you're trying to kick an unhealthy habit, replace it with a positive one. Money-saving goals may mean the end of weekend mall-trawling, but you could rekindle your passion for biking instead. It's fun, free and takes your mind off the January sales.
6. SHOUT ABOUT IT.
Real goals aren't like wishing on stars - you don't have to keep them a secret. Telling lots of people what you're up to gives you less room to fail. Imagine a chorus of "I told you so" from family and friends when your focus falters. Having a team behind you makes winning much easier. And the reward of reaching a goal is twice as sweet when you've proved someone wrong.
7. TRASH THE TRIGGERS.
We are creatures of habit. Often, we find it hard to keep a resolution because we stick to an old routine. Perhaps you want to up your water intake and cut out fizzy drinks. Small changes work wonders - stock up on bottled water and ask someone else to buy your toasted tuna on rye at lunchtime. That way, you won't walk past take-away shops every day and the trigger is eliminated for good.
8. WRITE IT DOWN.
We record our resolutions with great enthusiasm at the beginning of the year. But where have you written them? In a document on your computer or a notebook that is opened once in a blue moon? Resolutions must be in your face, where you can see them every single day. Be practical. Your daily diary, the fridge or your car are excellent spots.
9. DON'T CHOKE ON CHANGE.
Being wildly ambitious is easy on paper. The reality is that a goal is only attainable in small bites. Jumping from Saturdays on the couch into 30-kilometres hikes every weekend takes lots of little leaps of faith. Rather re-lace your hiking boots and go for a brisk stroll around the neighbourhood for starters. Nibbling at your goal means you experience regular bursts of achievement, instead of day-dreaming about future success.
10. TAKE PRIDE IN THE PAST.
Have respect and reverence for who you are now, how you got here and why. Give yourself the chance to change, but don't try to erase your personal history. Resolutions are practical tools - not magic wands.