Top 10 New Year Resolutions, why they fail and what we should do

The 10

After some random forays through the virtual highway known simply as the ‘internet’, several 10 resolutions that were most common cam to light. These resolutions have been compiled in a list as follows:

1. Quit Smoking
2. Loose Weight
3. Learn something new
4. Spend time with family
5. Help others and Volunteer
6. Get organized
7. Get out of debt
8. Enjoy life
9. Stop drinking
10. Improve your relationship

Ironically, almost all the lists were similar – with one or two points changed! Thus having set before you the most common resolutions, it is essential that we discuss why these resolutions fail.

Why do we fail?

We fail to accomplish resolutions that we set up for ourselves simply because what instigated us into forming these resolutions was something other than the need to turn over a new leaf – we were in essence forced by ‘trends’ in today’s world – to be part of this massive new year resolution forming movement. In effect, we wore a new shirt because everybody was doing so – and not because we liked or wanted that shirt.

Evidence that these are trends is obvious from the very fact that lists all over are similar - other than grammatical differences. All the above mentioned resolutions are present in most of the lists (in fact in amongst all of the lists only one was different, but that was because it was a sort of humorous list!).

Trends, although common, do not actually achieve anything of material value. Trends are, for example, what a certain movie celebrity does – which would be very different from what an ordinary person would do. And so as is with everything that one does because of any outside influence, our New Year resolutions were bound to fail.

An Example

As an example – losing weight; one of the most common resolutions flying around at this nigh time of the year but one of the most difficult to actually accomplish. Additionally, at times, such a resolution is not what we want – nor need. And then? In our effort to loose weight, we end up gaining more weight. Why? Because we are doing it half-mindedly – since everybody is doing it. And when we do it like this? We are definitely bound to fail and use methods that do not allow us to loose weight. The result? More weight gained, time lost and psychological damage.

Another Example

Human beings seldom grasp something once; thus it is essential that something is explained twice and in a different manner. Smoking. Quit smoking. Stop smoking. Don’t look at that cigarette. What not. This is also one of the most common resolutions out there. What fuels it? The knowledge that something like this is harmful both to the person and the environment. Why doe we make this resolution? Because friends, family, co-workers keep on pushing us or because we think, that at the very least we should try and work towards stopping smoking than actually stopping it. In essence, a diplomatic action.

What should we do?

Loosing Weight.

What would have been a better resolution? “I will try and follow a balanced diet and eat only at prescribed times”, “I will refrain from foods that increase my cholesterol”. Why? “Because if I don’t do so I will be more prone to heart diseases – and I may possibly die”. What effect will this have? For one, you have decided that you will do this on your own and because you need it. As a result you will follow it with intense concentration that you normally would apply in your daily tasks. Secondly, you have changed the resolution and decided that you will not work towards losing weight but towards trimming down your consumption of edible matter. The result; a resolution that you will follow, that will blend in easily with your schedule and which you will, hopefully, accomplish. You will keep on trying harder and harder. You will learn how to think independently. You will discover that you are capable of something. You will find that a bit of originality and creativity is much more productive than following trends. In time every other person around you will follow your example – you have effectively become the center of attention and the trendsetter (you may possibly start your own trend, a paradox on which an argument, if started, would lead on to running around circles!) You will find that such practices as mentioned earlier will lead you to inevitably become fit – as opposed to using medicine, eating nothing and disrupting your schedule by following ordinary weight lose programs – a majority of which are scams aimed at making money!

Smoking.

Have we actually tried and thought for one minute why is it that we should stop smoking. Have we thought about the damage smoking causes, if not to us, then to our immediate environment? Do we know that if we have children then they are affected – and could possibly get a disease – through what is known as passive smoking?

If we start thinking about the hazardous effects of smoking then in not time we will find that such a resolution involving smoking will slowly embed itself in us. How will we stop smoking? Start slowly. Start reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Prevent yourself from coming under the influence of friends or colleagues. Stop following the ‘you are cool if you smoke’ trend or the ‘smoking stops anxiety’ trend. You may dies if you smoke. Let you heart know this, since the brain already does. In fact, each cigarette you smoke erases 10 minutes from your life! Think about it and decide. Stay on your decision.

Conclusion

Compile a resolution based on YOU. Not THEM. You should understand that everything affects people differently. Take a moment and note down things that you need to change about yourself. Things that you need to do. Big or small, everything is important.