It’s that time of year again! How quickly it came. You know, the time of year when people start thinking about making resolutions, life improvements, and figuring out their game plan for next year.
Often people make resolutions to head back to the gym. I love gyms in January! They’re completely packed. You can’t get a bloody machine if you tried. All the resolutioners are pounding the pavement… hard… literally… for like five minutes. Then, by January 20th, the crowds calm down to normal levels and those people return back to their old habits.
Some people vow to spend more quality time with family members. Others vow to see their friends more often. Or to quit smoking. Or to be kinder or more patient. Or to save more money.
Though these resolutions are almost always made with the best of intentions, the vast majority of people hardly ever stick to their game plan. More often than not, by the first week of February (give or take), the new plans fall by the wayside and old habits creep back in.
Maybe you can relate.
So as we reflect upon 2009, and soon head into 2010, I have to say, it’s been interesting. For me, no new births this year, so that part was a breeze. I got my last kid into a big bed… no more babies. I lost family members I loved. I witnessed my husband’s blood pressure rise and fall with the fluctuation of the Canadian dollar. I watched A LOT of hockey. We saw the first black man inaugurated into the oval office. We washed our hands compulsively not to catch H1N1. We lost many “icons”– Michael Jackson, Ted Kennedy, Farrah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite. Oprah announced the end of her show. Sarah Palin was everywhere. The economy hit new lows not seen in decades.
Yes, 2009 was eventful.
And as we’re about to usher in 2010, I have to say, I feel quite unprepared this year. Usually I reflect back upon my year at what I have accomplished, and what I feel I still haven’t yet accomplished and therefore hope to set out and achieve. There’s always something incredible about that feeling of new beginnings. The chance to start over again and do things right. It feels invigorating.
And yet this year, I sort of feel like I don’t have my game plan yet. I feel like for now, I’m in the status quo. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad. I don’t want any more kids. I already go to the gym. I don’t over-eat or over-drink (maybe just red wine sometimes). I see my friends. I try to be nice. So on my end, other than praying the economy rebounds (so that hubby is in a happy mood) and that my loved ones stay healthy and happy, I think I really have no resolutions yet for this year. That’s my answer and I’m stickin’ to it for now. I know it sounds sorta boring. Sorry.
But for those of you who have high hopes and dreams and goals, can I offer you some tips on how to stick to those resolutions.
- Be specific about your resolution. Not, “I look fat, I want to lose weight.” It should be, “My goal is to lose twenty pounds by June 1st, and I am going to do it by getting to the gym 3-4 times per week, and eating healthy.”
- Your number of resolutions should be few. Not too many. It’s called setting realistic goals.
- Put your resolutions in a visible place, so they’re there to constantly remind you to stick to them. This way, your loved ones can also help you attain your goals. For example, a BE PATIENT sign should hang in your kitchen, by the noisy kids, if it’s patience you’re working on!
- Take immediate action. If your resolution is to join a gym then do so immediately in January. If you’re quitting, quit January 1st. If you want to take more time for yourself, book those grandparents for a Sunday afternoon now. If you keep putting things off, your resolutions will be just that… plans and not actuals.
- And finally, reward yourself for successes. Throw yourself a pot luck lunch after you’ve shed the first ten pounds. Treat yourself to a massage after not smoking for 30 days. We too often dwell in the negative, and don’t celebrate the positives.
So, if you’re like me, and maybe you haven’t figured out your resolutions yet, or your resolutions list is as long as your Santa list, make 2010 a year to remember. Get a game plan. Be a woman of action. In the words of my woman, Oprah Winfrey, “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.”
Please don’t hold back! Tell us, what are your 2010 New Year’s Resolutions?
xoxEDxox
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Tags: 2009 year in review, 2010 game plan, bad economy, breaking new years resolutions, eating healthy, farrah fawcett, H1N1, have a game plan, making new years resolutions, Michael Jackson, new year's resolution, sticking to new years resolutions, ted kennedy, the year 2009
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Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
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Hi Erica,
I know what you mean about having “good intentions” but failing miserably in a short period of time. I find that setting small, obtainable goals is the only way to succeed. When you try to change something too quickly by removing your normal routine, chances are you are going to slip back into old habits. It’s in our nature.
It’s great that you are already doing so many good things for yourself and your family. That is an inspiration and a message of hope for women. Stay true.
Kellie
Anne, I checked out your website. Neat idea for those who find it hard to stick to a plan and some extra help.
Nice advice on New Years Resolutions. On target and to the point. As for a resolution of your own it sounds like you’re drawing a blank because nothing needs fixing. But what could be better? What do you aspire to? Is there a dream somewhere in there you’d like to move a little bit closer to? Those kinds of plans are excellent New Years Resolutions too.
Either way, you and your readers are welcome to consider joining me in Resolve 2010, a free program running through January 31, 2010 aimed at supporting resolvers in sticking with, and making progress on, those resolutions they make. learn more at http://www.setting-and-achieving-goals.com/NewYearsResolutions.html
Best.
I loved this blog. It made me cry. This year felt difficult and I’m not quite sure where I’m heading for next year. I hope I will find my way. Thanks for making me see sometimes not knowing is ok.
Shelley
I love your honnesty. We tend to loose perspective on lifes issues. So nice that you are content.
My resolution is to leave my loser boyfriend.