New Year’s Resolutions – Why Are They So Hard to Keep?

We have all been there vowing to never touch another chocolate, lose 5 kilograms or run a half marathon! We all have our list of things we would like to change in our lives and about ourselves.

The first question that pops to mind is why do we feel we need to make resolutions at all? Could it possibly be that we feel guilty for not achieving all the things we had set out for ourselves the previous year or does the remorse come after a festive season of over indulgence? Who really knows why we feel the need, but come the 1st of January, we all whip out the pen and paper and so the cycle starts again!

My decision for 2012 is to change my approach to the concept of resolutions. I have never liked them and hate to feel like I am being forced to do something – even though I am the one doing the forcing! Let’s face reality - by enforcing resolutions which are most often unrealistic and unachievable (on top of requiring large measures of willpower which I just don’t have!), we are just setting ourselves up to fail.

I know this all too well being a Mom of two young girls which can sometimes drive you to the brink of sanity just in itself. Throw in depriving yourself of most things sinful like coffee, chocolate and red wine, and you have a disaster waiting to happen!

So my new approach this year is simple, I have set myself bite size, achievable goals and not for the entire year either but quarterly (this was hubbies idea!) when I will review both the goal and the success of achieving what I set out to do. Doing this I allow myself the opportunity to revise or change said goal according to my circumstances.  Add to this the decision to change my overall approach to life, to simplify my life, to identify the negative aspects in my life and make positive changes to the way I exist. In other words a change in lifestyle!

As a family we have also encouraged our daughters to do the same setting out goals and aspirations for themselves both personally and in the private lives, hopefully teaching them valuable lessons for later on in their adult lives!

So my motto for 2012 is Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!

Image Source: Pinterest

Views: 143

Comment by Socratis Avgitidis on January 26, 2012 at 10:24

I so agree with you about resolutions. Especially ones which are imposed on you by those with the best intentions:) 

Super Mom your new approach is absolutely the way to go. I recommend you watch this TED talk by Matt Cutts(it is only 3minutes long)- it is about small goals reviewed every 30 days. I found it very inspirational.

link

Comment by Nomsa Kagiso on January 26, 2012 at 10:29

@Socratis Avgitidis, I agree that we should set our own goals and not let others set them for us-that's why they are our OWN goals:)I have also set lifestyle changes, and let me tell you everyday is a test, until it becomes a habit, which they say takes a month to make something new a habit.

Comment by Beth Seagal on January 26, 2012 at 10:31

great post super mom....I am going to give your new approach a go. Video is brilliant, makes it seem so easy. No chocolate for 30 days:)

Comment by Shaamila Cassim on January 26, 2012 at 11:40

Comment by Candice James on January 26, 2012 at 12:47
@shaamila, lol!
Comment by Inspired Living SA on January 26, 2012 at 19:51

@Socratis Avgitidis great video - definitley going to put that into practice! @ Shaamila love that cartoon - so true!

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