A New Approach to Resolutions
Hi WA Friends,
How has your start to the new year been so far? Hopefully all is going well and you’re getting the things done that you want to do.
The new year is a time when a lot of people talk about their newly made resolutions. It’s a great time to make them for sure, since most of us are coming off the high of the holidays…and what better time to start fresh!
Although we may want to do better, keeping resolutions is another story. Most of us have good intentions when we make them, but trying to keep or complete them is often a setup for failure.
Did you know that the average new year’s resolution lasts only 3.74 months? This was gathered from recent a poll by Forbes Health.
Apparently, just 6% of us actually keep going with said resolutions past the 12 month point! If you can do it, great! But that means most of us find it near impossible which can lead to falling right back into old habits.
Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions
You probably won’t find it difficult to relate to the top 5 new year’s resolutions (Forbes Health) which include:
- Improving Fitness 48%
- Improving Finances 38%
- Improving Mental Health 36%
- Losing Weight 34%
- Improving Diet 32%
These are generally relatable items. But apparently, no matter how much we’d like to improve on these things, we’re likely to not follow through.
That’s because we often see resolutions as something more to do. Adding on more to the already endless task list of everyday life is probably not something anyone wants or needs.
Considering A New Approach
After a little reading up on this, that’s when I came across a theory that lack of sticking to resolutions may not have anything to do with lack of discipline but instead it may be just a result of bad timing.
Going back to the ancient Chinese way of thinking, I discovered a concept called wu wei. Basically, it is the idea of not forcing something. Let it flow naturally. In other words, we are now in winter - a time where the earth conserves energy in order to prepare for the coming regeneration of spring.
It’s a time to slow down. So maybe this is why we find it hard to stick to these new resolutions.
Winter is a time of rest where a life cycle has ended and we now have quiet time to refresh until spring. The days are dark, the weather may be cold. Maybe if we just started these resolutions closer to spring, it would be easier.
It’s an interesting idea. Perhaps just pushing out the timing of these goals could be helpful.
Final Thoughts
However you approach your new year, be sure not to stress about resolutions. Whether you’re able to stick with them or not, you don’t need to add any more stress to what already exists.
Sometimes just allowing yourself to do less actually achieves more output in the end. What do you think?
-Susan
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Recent Comments
54
Hi Susan.
Another excellent, blockbuster post. I certainly agree about the timing being a factor for new year resolutions. In terms of weight loss, it is not just about committing to dieting or exercise, per se, at the beginning of the year.
So, in my mind's eye, resolutions should be fine-tuned towards making a lifestyle change in the long run. Sticking to promises is always easier said than done. That's why so many of us fall short of living up to our resolutions.
Thank you for shining a spotlight on the challenges of new year resolutions. The WA community appreciates when you share your much-appreciated knowledge and expertise on topics such as the new approach to resolutions.
You are a gem.
Rachele💎
Hi Rachele! Glad you enjoyed the post. Seems we may be onto something. Perhaps if we take off the pressure of always having to do, it makes the doing a little less daunting. It is interesting food for thought! Thanks for your positive feedback and taking the time to weigh in (no pun intended lol).
Susan 💎
Hi there, Susan.
Just in case you didn't know, yours writing style is very healing to the soul. It seeps deep into my psyche. When does your next self-help book come out? How much are your therapy sessions? (lol).
I love the way you write and think. You are our WA Life Coach, for sure.
Just weighing in.
Rachele
Hi there Rachele! Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy to help. And you've made me smile as I retire for the evening. Haha, my services are free to anyone who cares to have a listen. Most appreciated, my dear friend. Enjoy your evening.
Susan 😉⚖️
Our Susan.
Have a wonderful, relaxing evening.
Continue to inspire and uplift the WA community,
Rachele????🥰
Hi Susan
Wow, I LOVE wu wei!👍👍
I have my suspicions that it was really invented by an Italian! Lol
I never have a problem keeping my New Year’s resolutions because they are always things I look forward to achieving.
Here are my standard five:
1. More time with family.
2. More time going out with friends.
3. More eating at our favorite places.
4. More music.
5. More movies.
It’s seems counterproductive to make promises we know we will not follow through on.
But what about work ? I like to work on a flexible (more wu wei) schedule, and amazingly, I always manage to get quite a bit done.
Life is short so we need to enjoy it whenever possible.😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank!
I tend to agree with you 100% on your suspicions...haha, that's too funny and I KNEW you would get it. 😎 It's la dolce vita, of course!
That's a great top 5 list and I couldn't agree more. Life is way too short to not prioritize things that bring joy. Great minds are thinking alike in all aspects on this one. Enjoy and savor every delicious moment!
How's your snow situation...
Rock On!
Susan 🤘🎸
Haha, Susan
From one great mind to another, la dolce vita e una cosa bellissima! Haha 😎
This approach was hardwired into me from the earliest years of my very Italian upbringing.
I was taught to work hard but always make time for fun.
Therefore, I have never been a big money chaser. I enjoy living a simple but happy life.
I thank God to have been given the ability to help people on a professional level, but life is too precious to work it all away.
We got a lot of snow that eventually turned to rain and iced everything up.
Neither of us went out today but the news says the roads are very slippery.
It’s supposed to warm up tomorrow and hopefully things will start to melt without excessive flooding.
Frank 🤘🎸
That’s terrific, Frank and not surprising to hear. Your joie de vivre shows and you’re truly blessed.
This weather will be an issue for a few days between all the conditions. The worst is the flooding and freezing. Take good care!
Susan 🤘😎🎸
Thanks, Frank! Got a fair bit of snow today which is now turning into rain. It’s quite messy. Hope it doesn’t freeze. How are you doing there?
Susan 😎🤘🎸
Everything is melting because it’s 47 degrees.
It’s supposed to be even warmer tomorrow, so flooding will be the issue.
Just woke up from a nap. 😎
Stay safe,
Frank 🤘🎸
I think we’ll be fine, Susan. We have a sump pump system that will kick in if necessary.
It’s Jimmy Page’s birthday today, so I just finished watching the Led Zeppelin reunion concert, “Celebration Day.” 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Most awesome, Frank. Good to hear. We have one too...and also sit high upon a hilltop. Makes it easy to escape in the boat when needed lol!
That sounds like an excellent way to mark the day! Rock On!
Susan 🎸👍 🤘
Hi Susan
I wish our house was on a hill, but we’re not below grade.
We’ve only had a problem once in almost 30 years. I put the sump pumps in and they’ve never been needed. Sounds about right. Lol 😂
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank! You just never know when one may be needed. And the time you wouldn’t have it is when you would lol! Happy Hump Day!
Susan 🤘🎸😎
Glad we're all sharing the same perspective. 💯 Thanks for dropping by, Catherine and hope you are doing well. :-)
Thanks, Bux...glad you agree as well. We shouldn't underestimate that need to swim with the stream instead of against it. Take care.
Susan :-)
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Hi Susan, thanks for this. Very interesting indeed.
I gave up making New Year Resolutions some time ago. Not because I couldn't keep them, but because I thought they were unimportant. I believe we should always try to be and do our best, whether it be in work, in health, in fitness or something else.
Anyway, I hope 2024 brings you everything you've resolved to do.
Cheers, Jenni.
Hi Jenni! How are you…I tend to agree with your sentiments. Resolutions can put on unwanted extra pressure when all we really need to do is try our best. Eventually we’ll get where we want to go.
Thanks so much for your kind words and I hope you have an awesome year ahead!
Cheers,
Susan 😎