Search
☰ Menu

Articles & Tips

New Year’s Resolutions: Don’t Give Up!

Posted on: February 5th, 2014 by Guest Blogger

By Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network Staff

ADMHN_RGBSome folks view New Year’s resolutions as a fabulous opportunity to build fresh patterns and habits for fulfilling their healthier, happier life potential – while others see the concept of “resolutions” as yet another self-destructive medium for berating oneself with guilt-ridden failure of those tasks not achieved.  Regardless of which view you hold, New Year’s is indeed a time when many of us become introspective, taking stock of the past year and thinking about what the coming year will bring.

The question becomes, how do we set up intentions that will actually help us on our path to self-development, growth and contentment?  I believe the answer lies in a few simple steps:

Frame your intention in the positive.  Rather than saying what you DON’T want to happen, set your intention on what you DO want to happen.  For instance, aim for “I will drive my car with patience and courtesy for my fellow human beings,” instead of “I will stop getting so angry at all those terrible drivers out there.”

Be specific.  While it can feel scary to say exactly what we want, setting a specific intention is key for being able to achieve our goals.  Being vague or general is a way to give up your power to affect change in your life.  Decide what you want and don’t be afraid to yell it from the rooftops!

Start small and be realistic.  Tackle your goal in small, manageable steps.  Rather than to go to the gym and work out for an hour every day, add in a 15-minute walk to your lunch break three days a week.  Once you’ve accomplished that goal, there will be room to add in additional ideas for increased wellness.

Commit.  If you decide you’re going to do it, make a commitment to yourself to do it.  Write it down and post it on your mirror so you will see it every morning when you wake up.  Schedule the steps that will help you toward your goal every week in your daily planner and make it happen.

Reward yourself.  Pick out a reward for achieving the goal – something to help motivate you.  Small rewards along the way can boost your morale to continue your journey.

Enlist a buddy.  Research shows that if you attempt a goal with someone else, your likelihood of achieving it increases.  Go ahead, ask a friend or co-worker to be your wellness accomplice.  You’ll be helping each other – and likely enjoying some good social time as well!

Be kind to yourself.  If you fall off the wagon or get off track with your goals, don’t criticize yourself or lose focus, giving up on your goal altogether.  Simply acknowledge that you fell off track, identify and assess what is getting in your way, and come back with a renewed plan for achieving your goal.

Setting and achieving a personal goal is tremendously satisfying. In addition, achieving a goal can boost self-esteem, increase feelings of empowerment and life-mastery, and often leads to further growth in other aspects of your life.  Take some time today to think about one simple but satisfying goal that you would like to achieve in the coming year.  Then set your intention and put it into action.  Remember, even the journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.

Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, founded in 1955, is a private, non-profit organization that provides comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment services to individuals of all ages.  ADMHN has multiple locations throughout the south metro area.

Share
by Webolutions Digital Marketing Agency
Close