We are two weeks into the New Year. Has it, thus far, been an opportunity to grasp hold of and pursue new goals and intentions? These are typically items that will advance our personal well-being. Health, Business, outside (of work) activities, relationships, spiritual endeavors are just a few of the areas in which we seek improvement. This is the time during which these resolutions are beginning to wane, correct? Many of us crest the resolution wave before achieving the intent of our goals. Maintaining our ‘beginning-of-the- year’ momentum need not have a futile end result. Desired results can be achieved when goals are manageable. Larger and more challenging goals can, of course, be broken into smaller sections, thereby making them less daunting. Do not despair, the New Year can be a Good Year.
A large-scale 3-year study found that 55% of people break their New Year’s resolutions within a year, with 1: 11% last less than a month. 19% last at least one month. 14% last at least three months. 11% last at least six months. These statistics reveal that many individuals have not given thought to the focus and drive requirements required for focusing on the intention and sticking to the process incrementally going toward to the end goal. It can indeed be accomplished.
Many of us have christened January 1, 2024 with ‘New Year/New Me’ initiatives. The various resolutions were hatched with the best of motives. This is a prime time to look forward to fresh starts. The new year, new me dynamic is promoted throughout society. Advertising for new cars, discount travel, and gym memberships is in no short supply. We think about various modes of self improvement and vow to embark upon whatever the said journey might entail. The new year is a time of giddiness and high hopefulness. It is an opportunity to undertake a journey with the outlook of an youngster having been turned loose in a spring meadow.
We choose initiatives based on what we think to be of particular importance. Some of them are matters contemplated over some time, plans burning deep inside, demands that need to be addressed. Others are things which are chosen at the spur of the moment, during a group challenge, while revelling and enjoying group camaraderie. We often want to appear to be doing something positive. We join in with the new year routine thereby giving our efforts of self improvement an air of importance. Things proceed along for the first week or so with efforts to adhere to our plans veering upon the valiant.`
Resolutions cover a wide scope of options. We are free to choose whatever we may be feeling is most pressing. The more common ones: loosing weight, working out, read more, get more sleep, drink more water, learn something new, travel more, eat more healthfully, prioritize family, reduce stress, develop a hobby, getting organized, bettering finances, maximizing productivity, spending less, become more environmentally conscientious, conquering debt, and limiting social media. Perhaps one or some of these options are among your resolution choices. Some people, perhaps, choose other options that fall outside of the list.
Three weeks into the New Year: are efforts to live up to the specific choices beginning to wane?? This is a critical time for sticking to New Year’s Resolutions. People begin to get bored. The realize that ongoing work required for meeting the goal. It is not and overnight occurrence by which one becomes more organized, gets their finances in order, or achieves positive results in the fitness arena. We are motivated to begin the journey of positive change. Motivation will only carry one so far. There has to be the drive to maintain a consistency in these efforts.
To be consistently on task is to see the climbing as connected to reaching the summit. By and large, we become overwhelmed with the journey ahead. Viewing what remains to be done brings about pre-mature exhaustion; many lose their steam and give up. this is not the point at which we should chuck in the towel. Especially, since the year is just beginning . . . that is correct, the year is just beginning. We are not Sisyphus. The rock is not continually rolling back to the bottom of the hill . . . that is, unless we allow it to happen. We should not allow that to be the case.
We must recognize that making progress towards the goal, no matter how small, is beneficial. To make no progress is depressing and can reinforce feelings of inadequacy. Allowing ourselves to be comfortable with whatever attained progress has been achieved will give impetus to future efforts in that direction. The goal is to make continual progress. One step at a time is the method by which one reaches the peak. However, to reach the peak is to obtain the intermediate levels. These ledges are points at which we can rest and assess our progress. Resting, then, is not stopping.
We must not falter with our resolutions. There is a reason that foe which the various goals were chosen. We felt a need to address perceived shortcomings with ourselves. Not the we are imperfect. We want to be ‘better’. Becoming more healthy is a great goal to pursue. The daily challenges of life in modern society are antithetical to living healthy lifestyles. Posture, diet , exercise, study are elements that the modern person tends to not be interested in developing. Yet, we know that by the variety of resolutions taken on, these areas are just the thing that society needs to taken on and accomplish. If we take our stand, we can accomplish those goals which we’ve started take on.
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 