Creating Effective New Year's Resolutions
Up to 45% of us make New Year’s resolutions, committing to a year of thoughtful reflection, change and self-improvement. The rest of us? We’ve made our peace with everything that’s wrong with us, thanks.
And as it turns out, those of us just willing to settle might have the right idea: far less than half of people end up keeping the resolution to year’s end, and that success rate drops to just 14 percent in those aged over 50. But if you’re totally committed to making a new commitment this year, here’s a quick guide to all the resolutions you’re likely to make, and some tips for keeping at least a couple of them.
YOLO
You only live once, so while you’re dreaming of a new year why not start big? Travel somewhere you’ve never been or go on your first tandem skydive. Crazy, right?
We can talk ourselves out of just about anything, so don’t give yourself the option. Buy those plane tickets to Greece, book that parachute jump, and by the time your resolution rolls around you’ll either go or literally pay the price (it’s no surprise that better budgeting is always a popular resolution). But maybe you don’t want to jump out of a plane just yet…
HEALTH
Whether it’s going to the gym or just eating less, we all want to feel better. The problem is always that the things that feel great right now are usually the same ones that make us feel lousy in the long term. And we can’t all afford a trainer to harass us all day. Or can we?
One of the simplest ways to keep any resolution is to tell your friends and family about it. It’s all the guilt and pressure without having to pay for a personal trainer! Just don’t be one of those people who has to post about every one of your meals or workouts. Nobody likes that guy.
ORGANIZATION
Getting organized is a mirage most of us chase our whole lives. It’s always just one new shelving unit or file folder away. If you could just find that daytimer you bought you’d be set, right?
The single best thing you can do to get more organized is to have fewer things to organize. Don’t bother with extra boxes or vacuum-sealed bags: They just give you more places to accumulate stuff you don’t use. Trim your wardrobe down to essential items, donate items to charity or just fill up a trash bag. Because less is more.
MAINTENANCE
Here’s the bad news about resolutions: The bigger the change, the harder it is to make. But that’s good news too: You can take the life you’re already living and make it a bit better.
Focus on things you’re already doing and improve on them. If you walk to the grocery store for the occasional item, try taking the walk more often. Keep up on your home maintenance. And if you’d rather not have to stop your life to deal with clogged drains, use Liquid-Plumr® Pro-Strength Clog Destroyer Gel regularly to keep your drains as clear as your conscience by next New Year’s.
