Most people make New Year’s resolutions each year – often making the same ones year after year.  Why don’t we keep them?  Consider what types of resolutions you are making.  Are your resolutions goals you think you should have?  Or are your resolutions goals society deems im

Part of our tradition for the New Year is setting resolutions… which unfortunately sometimes are doomed to failure. It is believed that 25% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first 15 weeks of the new year. Also, individuals tend to make the same resolution an average of ten times, and those to manage to make a resolution last for six months or longer have often tried five or six times before succeeding. The lack in success in following through with New Year’s resolutions can be demoralizing and can lead to an attitude of why bother… until the next year, when the false hope can lead to another dreadful cycle.

To avoid this trap, resolutions should be realistic based on an individual’s life and circumstances. The American Journal of Health Promotion suggests that health behaviors are a result of awareness, motivation, skill building, and opportunity. Without opportunity or access to ways to promote health, good intensions cannot be realized. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based) goals and using positive reinforcement will help make lasting changes.

Suggestions for Creating Empowering New Year’s Resolutions for Improved Health:

• I will honor my life experience, appreciate my strengths and abilities, and love myself.
• I will make changes for me, not for anyone else.
• I will get more in touch with my body and listen to what it is telling me.
• I will ask for support from family, friends, and others if I need it, and I will offer support when needed.
• I will pick one or two things to work on and set goals that are SMART.
• I will try something new.
• I will connect with others.
• I will have fun.
• I will start by taking small steps.
• I will give myself credit for what I accomplish.

Source:  Employee Morale Tips, The Confidence Center Newsletter, December 19, 2006, Vol. 6, Issue 51. http://confidencecenter.com/