How to Finally Make Your New Years Resolution Stick
In General | 7 comments | permalink
New Years resolutions are a time where we can imagine how we would like ourselves to be, then, aim to achieve that, and then give up a few weeks later. There is a reason that almost all New Years resolutions fail, but this year I will show you how to make them stick.
Here is the key… you have to make your goal become part of your life without consciously having to do it.
Simple? Confusing? Both?
Ok, I will explain… when you have to consciously force yourself to do something e.g go to the gym… there is the option to talk yourself out of doing it. For example, my back hurts a bit, I will go to the gym tomorrow, or, I will do extra exercise tomorrow, and will skip today etc…
But the goal is to make it a habit, a part of your daily routine, an inescapable routine.
I must stress that I am terrible with New Years Resolutions, so please don’t think I am preaching here. However, this year I started a goal that I have tried over 10 times previously, and on all 10 times, I failed within the first 48 hours.
That goal is: to speak nothing but Spanish with Elena (my fiance)
I have tried this many, many times, and I always find an excuse not to continue with it. But this time I told Elena that under no circumstances should she respond to me if I speak English… also, if I fail to do this, then we are going to sell the house and move back to the UK.
Hows that for not giving yourself a choice?!?
We have been testing it for the past few days, and it is working great. By not having a choice, I am less conscious of doing it, this means I am not nervous, nor do I have a voice trying to talk me out of it. I either do it, or I do it, there are no other feasible options.
So let’s say you wanted to exercise more. Why not get your other half to hide the car keys each morning, thus meaning you have to go to work on foot? If you live between 5 mins and 1 hours walk from your home, then this is perfect. You simply exercise or lose your job, therefore meaning you have no choice but to JUST DO IT.
So this year, try and find a way of making sure you have no way of backing out of your New Years resolution, and maybe it will stick.
Happy New Year guys and gals, it has been a great year, and I hope you all enjoyed reading my posts.
I look forward to speaking to you all again in 08.
Dean
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7 COMMENTS
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Oh, I wish I knew Spanish better… but then again, I’m not your fiancé… (thank God for both of us).
Just Do It… not played out in this sense.
You’ve been a great inspiration to many bloggers this year, Dean. Keep Cooking up the conversations.
Happy New Year!
Andrew
Mi amo Jethro. Yo no tango el burro para vamos a escuela. Yo vivo on el calle camino. Me gusta burritos y nachos y blondes con mamas grande.
Prospero ano para ti.
I learned Spanish good. Took my classes at Panchos Mexican restaurant and School of Spanish. You get to learn Spanish(Tex Mex) and eat all the enchiladas you want. Only $7.99 per class
¡Muy bien Dean! Me alegro de que vayas a hablar tanto en español este año. ¡Ya veras que dentro de un par de semanas ya no te cuesta nada!
Thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated.
Ben – Ya era hora!
Sometimes the reason you can’t keep your resolution is because there’s strong pressure NOT to.
Like, using your gym example: if my wife would rather have me home on time for dinner, she’s less likely to support my gym visits.
If you are on an island, you are less likely to succeed with your resolution. If you have support, you probably can.
Innovation, not if you make your goal a must! Tell someone that you are going to do that thing, someone that if you lie to that can ruin your reputation. Or do something like Deano said. Hm, this gave me good idea, I want to learn German, so why not make my operating system in German, my applications in German…and watch German movies and listen to German programs? Hm…