I made them, but now how can I keep my New Year’s resolutions?

 

 

 

 

 

We all resolve to give something up, to eat better, live better, exercise more and make more money. 95% of resolutions fail because we lack the motivation to stay focused and succeed. A resolution should be something you can successfully achieve. It should be something you truly want and are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make it happen. It also needs to be fun so you retain the enthusiasm to reach your goal. New research (USC Journal of Personality and Psychology) suggest that to change, it might work better to focus on habits as opposed to willpower. It seems that when we strive to change our behavior we need to apply motivation and self-control.  This is where we often get defeated. Instead we should be thinking about changing our habits. Habits persist even when we don’t have the energy to exercise motivation and self-control.    All experiences are stored in our memory. When the proper atmosphere is created they come to the surface. When we do something several times it becomes a habit. Continue the habit for a long time and it becomes our character.

Nothing is achieved without practice so let’s build character.

Research shows that people tend to default to a habit when stressed. So to keep your resolutions focus on creating healthy habits. This year default to eating healthy, exercising 30 minutes a day and finding peace within. It’s good for your body, your mind and your soul!  Defaulting to healthy habits builds good character!

Happy New Year!

 

Make it a habit to have a cup of fruit everyday instead of something sweet.

Make it a habit to do something nice every day.

Make it a habit to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.

Make it a habit to smile.

Doctor Lynn
Happy New Year!