A Better Way to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution

It's getting close to the time of year where people start thinking about making New Year's resolutions. Setting goals for improvements and changes in their lives...and three days later they've given up.

I've always heard it's easier to achieve your New Year's resolution if it's specific and attainable. I disagree. Obviously, it should be something you think is attainable. But instead of being overly-specific and perhaps setting yourself up for disappointment and perceived failure, "oops, I had one too many brownies so I've failed at my New Year's resolution to lose weight", the goal should be to commit to the steps necessary every day to move toward achieving it.  Don't resolve to lose 20 lbs.  Resolve to exercise every day for a minimum number of days each week.  If you miss a day, you haven't failed, just start again the next day! You have an entire YEAR!  You may lose more or less than your specific goal but the more you exercise the better you'll feel, and if you keep it up, you'll do more, so that in itself is a healthy accomplishment.

My New Year's resolution has been the same for several years: to be more social. Again, it's about evolving, not restricting, so it's always a work-in-progress.  I don't mean social media, I mean going out to events and being social. But not to say I will go to "x number of parties", just find a chance to go hang out with people, those that I know, or meeting new people. Some of these have been work-related, such as our recent Corridor on Tap beer festival, others have been just for fun. You'd think as a radio guy, socializing shouldn't be a problem, but it has been for me and I get better at it all the time!

So, resolve to evolve this New Year.  Set a goal, or multiple goals you'd like to accomplish.  Work at them, and don't let a momentary lapse signal the end of your quest to achieve them.  If you need some inspiration, check out Statistic Brain's Top 10 New Year's Resolutions for 2014.

Finally, enjoy the new you...and have a Happy New Year!