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It’s just three

weeks into

the New Year

and many of those hard to keep resolutions have probably gone by the wayside.  What is so hard about keeping New Year Resolutions is they always seem to be focused on giving something up, doing something hard.

They emphasize what we as humans are doing wrong.  In some ways the resolution mindset has a built-in negative energy.  We say, embrace the positive.

How about resolving to do more of what we like, build on what we are doing right, and focus on what’s healthy instead of hard?  To that end, we humbly present Moji’s

5 ways to not resolve a thing

Love the process, lose the goal. Celebrate the small wins instead of being disappointed with your efforts to meet what could be a large imposing end goal.  You could focus on the negative–your singular trip to the gym this week or you could give yourself a pat on the back for being one gym trip closer to your final goal.  Making permanent changes in your life means making the same choice to change every single day.  As you progress, that daily choice will become easier and easier.  Thinking positively about your choices will give you the attitude and forward momentum to do that good thing again.  Build on what went right this week, leave what went wrong in the dust.

rawheadrex

Do what you do better. Naysayers proclaim it can’t be done, gain without pain. Big changes are just that – painful. Whatever the resolution, break it down and set mini-goals you can achieve based on what you are already doing well. If you are getting to the gym twice a week, walking the dog regularly, or doing the stretching your therapist prescribed, then simply add a little something – more time, more frequency, more intensity. You are already focused on said goal and resolved to keep it, just get more out of it. Keep building and soon you’ll have your personal Rome.

Go where the wind takes you. While it’s important to stick to a schedule, you should not only set goals that are reasonable, but also listen to your mind and body. They might have different plans. If you feel the need to sleep in instead of heading out for a morning walk every once in a while, that is not a bad thing. More sleep does a body good! It’s ok for things to be fluid if in the long term context of your resolutions you are making progress.

rawheadrex

Be bad for ultimate good. Too much of anything, especially a resolution thing, makes Jack a bored, disgruntled, and ultimately uninterested boy. And, lack of interest, leads straight down the path to abandonment.  If you have resolved to cut down on eating junk food, great.  That said, any forbidden fruit becomes more appealing at some point.  Give yourself some latitude, cutting down is relative and if you feel you’ve done a good job.  Give in when and where you see fit.

Lose the should. There are things we love (dessert!) and there are things we don’t. It is easier to stay with something and make it a part of your lifestyle if you dig it. My friend really doesn’t like fruit; it just isn’t her thing. However, she really loves salads. Instead of trying to introduce more fruits into her dietary regimen, she eats more of what she likes – big salads and lean protein. That works for her. If you aren’t a gym rat, why try to buck the trend every January 1? Don’t resolve to do what you already know in your heart isn’t realistic for you. Identify what you enjoy and pursue it passionately, be it gardening, team sports, or orienteering (if any of you know what that is).

rawheadrex

Life will always get in the way of resolutions, unless you integrate your resolutions into your life. Setting positive and achievable interim goals will set the ground work for keeping those resolutions for 2010 and beyond.