Notes From A Hypnotist: How To Repair A Broken New Year’s Resolution (Part 1)
The year is just getting underway and we've already broken our New Year's Resolutions. Yes, 2016 is off to a rough start. And it's not just us, either—according to a survey by The Harris Poll, an equal percentage of people say they broke their resolution as those who don't keep the promise at all.
On any given day, there are billions of us moved by reason and evidence to make changes in our lives. For some, it's replacing the unhealthy habits they've adopted with healthier ones. For others, it's sticking with a job they're not all that happy in, but feel trapped by, or giving up addictive behaviors like cigarettes and coffee. Breaking a resolution is more common than you might think.
Why We Break Resolutions
While we want to make positive changes in our lives, it's often easier said than done. There are a number of reasons why we don't follow through with our resolutions, but here are three of the most common ones:
1. We fail to see the point in changing. When the New Year rolls around and we have yet to make any real changes in our lives, it's easy to convince ourselves that there's no point in getting started. We change our clocks and calendars, but we don't change ourselves. This is a mistake. Change is possible and necessary—the first step is to recognize that it's within our power.
2. Our resolutions aren't clear enough. If we want to make real changes in our lives, we must be realistic with our goals and think of ways to achieve them. If we have only a vague notion of what we want to change, if everything is just "someday," then it's too easy to give up.
3. Our goals are too big. To achieve real change in your life, you must be focused on completing just one goal at a time. This way, you will be able to see the progress you make and enjoy success, instead of feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied all the time.
How to Repair a Broken New Year’s Resolution
Take the time to reflect on the challenges you've faced so far. Consider whether or not your goals are too big, or if you have any incomplete steps that need to be accomplished in order for you to conquer your vision. Whether it's a business idea, a personal goal, or just about anything else, there are five steps that will help you make it happen:
1. Focus on one goal at a time. It's easy to get distracted when we try to accomplish too much at once. By focusing on one goal at a time, you'll be able to make progress and enjoy success consistently.
2. Look for something that you're good at and do it again. Another reason why we don't stick with our resolutions is that we don't have any ability or talent, or just plain don't like doing something. Instead of fortifying this belief, look to your strengths. Perhaps you're good at staying on top of financial situations or organizing things in an efficient way. Whatever it is, when you do something you're already good at, chances are that you'll like it more.
3. Shorten the time period for your goal and test it out before making a commitment. Even when someone really wants to change, he or she doesn't always know if it will work out. One way to test it is to set a time limit for your goal. For example, if you want to get in shape, instead of trying for a year's worth of progress, set a time period and then reevaluate. If you're able to do this successfully, then go ahead and commit yourself; but if not, then you may want to reassess the situation before making any final decisions.
4. Make things fun. Even if you're pushing yourself to achieve your goals, it can be hard work. Make sure you find some ways to make it enjoyable—go out and do something that interests you, or learn something new that will make you feel more satisfied in the long run.
5. The next time someone asks what you're doing for New Year's, say that you're attempting to accomplish one of your resolutions. It's time that we stop putting up with excuses and start accepting ourselves for who we really are. The world will be a better place if more people commit to their resolutions.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that we need to set realistic goals and think of ways to achieve them. It can take a lot of hard work, but it's worth it. Making small steps really is the key to achieving success and changing our lives for the better. Sometimes we have to try something new, but sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of the things we already know how to do.