Indeed, the coming of January brings about a sense of newness, a start off with a clean slate. And with renewed vigor and excitement, we look forward to doing the things that we were not able to do the past year and change whatever it is we want to change this year.
While I am not a fan of formal resolutions, I still begin my new year with writing goals and follow it through. But whatever you are comfortable with, here are some general tips that will help kick in new habits and facilitate your success for 2017.
1. Begin immediately – Stop procrastinating. Things are accomplished not so much from thinking but from action. Do not wait for things to get certain or the holiday fever to be over for you to start. Capitalize on the collective energy that is available now to immediately begin whatever it is you need to do.
2. Start Small – Most resolutions fail because they are grand and overly ambitious or they may be too many that you lose track of them. Pick out the three most important goals you have in 2017 and focus on them. After which, accomplishing your other goals in your list will be easier.
3. Take your time – While you may be overzealous to check out your list, it is important to remember that it requires time to do them. Particularly if you want to change something in you or develop a habit, a great deal of consistency is needed. It takes at least a month, as some studies suggest, to make something second nature to us. There is a saying that says, “Inch by inch, it’s a cinch”. So, don’t lose steam, take your time.
4. Write down your goals – It is very important to write down your goals. When you write them down, you help yourself fine tune and clarify what you really intend to do, and it strengthens neural pathways in the brain related to your desires. This process is necessary for your success.
However, in writing, you have to be as concrete as possible and jot down how you want to implement your intentions to accomplish your goals. For example, writing “I will start exercising this year” is not a very specific goal. Instead, write “Every 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I will put on my running shoes and run for at least 30 minutes.”
5. Factor-in God – Anything that we set for this year will only take on meaning if we include God in it. Now, meaning is indispensable because the deeper the meaning we attribute to our goals, the greater will be our drive to accomplish them. God has the ultimate plan for us and it is very healthy on our part to surrender all our list of goals and resolutions to Him. With God on our side, that would be a formidable team.
So, there you are. Together, let us look forward and usher in 2017 with great expectations. Happy New You!
P.S. Take care of your mental and psychological health this 2017. For your assessment and psychotherapy needs, set an appointment with me through 09122506898 or email me at [email protected].