By
Toni D. Nixon, Ed.D.
Keeping your New Year's resolutions can be a frustrating job, but the latest research tells us that change is possible and just by following a few steps, you can be successful.
Keeping your New Year's resolutions can be a frustrating job, but the latest research tells us that change is possible and just by following a few steps, you can be successful.
New Year's
resolutions are promises you make to yourself to do things that will
improve the quality of your life or improve some aspect of your life:
lose weight, exercise regularly, eat healthier, drink less, meditate,
have less stress, spending more time with your kids, stop smoking, get
organized.
They are your good intentions. (Generally we don't make resolutions to smoke more cigarettes, gain weight or have more stress in our lives). Since the new year is the beginning of a new cycle, it's traditionally seen as a time to make changes and start fresh. But about 88% of people don't ever achieve their resolutions, so what happens?
Changing habits can be a daunting task. Consider this: even after a serious health crisis like a heart attack and your doctor tells you to either change or die, only 1 in 7 people actually change their lifestyle. We know that It can take anywhere from 18 days to 254 days to change a behavior or habit until its automatic so it can take effort and persistence to achieve your results. Another reason it's a daunting process is that brain needs to create something new, a new thought process, behavior, or habit, which requires creating new neural networks and It's a complex process. It's much easier to travel down those well worn neural pathways that you brain has used for a long time.
But the good news is you can do it, change is possible. All of the latest research on the brain reports you can change your thoughts and behavior throughout your entire lifespan. Not too long ago it was thought that our brains were hardwired by the time we're 5. Now we know change is possible and there are a few key steps in the process:
Step 1: Think about your resolution (what you want to change) and consider the pro's (the good stuff, the benefits) Then consider the con's (the challenges) In order to be successful and move forward, your pro's need to outweigh the challenges.
Step 2: Ask yourself: Am I really ready to change? Be honest, the answer may be yes but it may also be no.
Step 3: Create a vision of your best self with your vision realized. When you create a vision of your best self it provides you with motivation and inspiration.
STEP 4: Set goals and make a plan. Setting goals makes visions real. They direct attention and effort toward goal relevant activities.
STEP 5: Acknowledge your achievements and celebrate your milestones, it keeps you motivated.
Your good intentions for improved health and well being are worth your commitment and effort. Just by following a few simple steps, you'll be much closer to realizing them. Remember, You Can Do It!
They are your good intentions. (Generally we don't make resolutions to smoke more cigarettes, gain weight or have more stress in our lives). Since the new year is the beginning of a new cycle, it's traditionally seen as a time to make changes and start fresh. But about 88% of people don't ever achieve their resolutions, so what happens?
Changing habits can be a daunting task. Consider this: even after a serious health crisis like a heart attack and your doctor tells you to either change or die, only 1 in 7 people actually change their lifestyle. We know that It can take anywhere from 18 days to 254 days to change a behavior or habit until its automatic so it can take effort and persistence to achieve your results. Another reason it's a daunting process is that brain needs to create something new, a new thought process, behavior, or habit, which requires creating new neural networks and It's a complex process. It's much easier to travel down those well worn neural pathways that you brain has used for a long time.
But the good news is you can do it, change is possible. All of the latest research on the brain reports you can change your thoughts and behavior throughout your entire lifespan. Not too long ago it was thought that our brains were hardwired by the time we're 5. Now we know change is possible and there are a few key steps in the process:
Step 1: Think about your resolution (what you want to change) and consider the pro's (the good stuff, the benefits) Then consider the con's (the challenges) In order to be successful and move forward, your pro's need to outweigh the challenges.
Step 2: Ask yourself: Am I really ready to change? Be honest, the answer may be yes but it may also be no.
Step 3: Create a vision of your best self with your vision realized. When you create a vision of your best self it provides you with motivation and inspiration.
STEP 4: Set goals and make a plan. Setting goals makes visions real. They direct attention and effort toward goal relevant activities.
STEP 5: Acknowledge your achievements and celebrate your milestones, it keeps you motivated.
Your good intentions for improved health and well being are worth your commitment and effort. Just by following a few simple steps, you'll be much closer to realizing them. Remember, You Can Do It!
Dr. Toni Nixon is a certified health and wellness coach,
mindfulness trainer and has been an educator and psychotherapist for
more than 35 years. She specializes in helping people create strategies
for positive change and live healthier and more fulfilling lives. She
offers individual coaching and consultation and mindfulness training
programs for individuals and groups. For info about current programs, go
to http://www.drtoninixon.net or contact toni@drtoninixon.net
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