Special Feature By PracticeForte Advisory Affiliate Abigail Leee
The year starts, the year ends. You always have that one or two items that you have told yourself that you would definitely need to keep to this for this particular New Year, but when the end of the year comes, you find yourself beating yourself up with yet another year of unaccomplished resolutions.
It always seems to happen, does it not? So how can we make resolutions so that they can be kept and at the same time be able to deal with the festive period stresses that seek to undo the success of resolution fulfillment?
Here are some pointers:
- Be Realistic in Expectations
When setting New Year resolutions or goals, do not try to change everything at once or start with something that is too big. New goals do not necessarily deliver new results but consistencies in one’s lifestyle do, and that takes time. Changes require a process and add up over time so never underestimate the little intentional steps and efforts that you make.
- Take a Break and Regain Your Focus
Intentionally include times of rest each week or go for a personal retreat at least twice a year so that you would gain clarity and be reminded in staying on track with your goals. Research has shown that high amounts of stress affect the physical body negatively, so take time each week to enjoy and cherish the moments of physical and emotional well-being.
- Be Thankful
Positive Psychology studies show that thankfulness and being grateful increases happiness and reduces feelings of depression in an individual. Whilst negative thoughts and feelings are to be recognised and not to be denied, doing a daily reflection exercise at the end of the day where one acknowledges at least 1 to 2 positive events or things that have happened to them for that day could facilitate the increase in endorphin (“our happy hormone”) levels, provide better sleep and improve overall well-being for oneself and in our relationship with others around us.
- Reach Out and Have a Support System
There are times when the going gets tough and at such times, being alone tends to make those times even rougher ones to pull through. Reaching out and establishing a support system for yourself will not only enable you to tide through difficult times but would also serve to you as regular reminders to have some fun and to relax!
Whatever you have as a New Year resolution definitely requires some form of change or changes to take place. Changes require a process and add up over time before it bears into the positive fruit that you wish to see, so never underestimate every little intentional step and effort that you make.
Have an awesome year ahead and have your best year yet!