A Resolution That I Can Keep

The New Year is always a great time for making a resolution, but seldom do we keep these resolutions. Lose weight. Spend less. Start exercising. Quit smoking. Learn a new language. Often, we are so focused on the goal that we lose site of the process.

This year, I say the heck with resolutions. Instead, I opt for the status quo – but with a twist. I have been reflecting on my successes in 2013, and I will focus on more of the same. For instance, I exercised a little more and ate a little better in 2013 than I did in 2012. In fact, I made a list of these small accomplishments. If I merely keep this train rolling, I won’t need any resolutions to achieve some nice goals.

Now don’t get me wrong. If you do have some lofty goals – such as quitting smoking – by all means, go for it. But these bigger goals should be broken down into smaller, easily achievable chunks. Look for the small ways in 2013 that you moved closer to your goal. Building on your prior success throughout the year is much better than the best-intentioned resolution on the first day of the year.