By: Valerie Padilla
"Make New Year’s resolutions and you set yourself up to feel like a failure, a loser, a lazy person. And paradoxically, because you fail so quickly and thoroughly... you easily give up trying to change" (Gourguechon).
As the beginning of January approaches, many individuals rush to make a list of "New Year's Resolutions" in order to make sure that the year they live is filled with productivity and satisfaction. Despite the good intentions of making New Year's resolutions, they often leave people feeling discouraged when they are unable to keep their promises and goals, and all they are left with is, "I will try again next year!” This creates a cyclical pattern of failure and disappointment, but it doesn't have to be that way.
While there is nothing wrong with creating resolutions, some individuals believe that they are simply a waste of time. There is truth to this sentiment, as without a clear and specific plan of action in place, resolutions are just a list of vague aspirations! As Gourguechon mentions, the idea of making New Year's resolutions can be harmful if not done correctly. So with this in mind, let me rephrase the title of this article: "Resolutions are a waste of time (only if you let them be!)"
To make resolutions meaningful, it is important to break down each resolution into tangible goals and develop a timeline of achievable milestones that will help you track your progress. Instead of creating an entire list of new big desires you wish to fulfill, begin by tracking the goals you have completed throughout the last year and set similar smaller goals that will make you feel complete rather than like a failure. It is also important to celebrate each milestone as you reach it, so you can continue to feel proud of yourself and your accomplishments and be inspired to work towards the next one. This way, you can create a positive cycle of progress and satisfaction and really resonate with the saying "New Year, New Me."
Comments