Have You Started on Your New Year Resolutions Yet?

Well, I have and it is the first time in a long time that I am actually thinking about them beyond the end of the year and the occasional 'midyear' crisis.

One reason for my new approach is the way I decided to formulate them this time around. I have decided to make a three-tiered resolution scheme divided based on "Attainability". The first tier represents the "most attainable" goals. For instance, I could put "I will eat more spicy food this year" or "I will save more energy by shutting off the lights when I don't use them". These resolutions are not so difficult to attain, but require constant remembering. I thus make mental "sticknotes" that when I see light on I will close it, or when I'm eating I will add some Tabasco or extra pepper in my plate. Attaining these initial resolutions are a small 'victory' that give me enough courage to approach the second tier of goals.

The second tier is more complicated, less tangible goals, like "I will be less stressed this year" or "I will smile more". These are longer term, and may require some breakdown. For instance, how could I be less stressed this year? Perhaps I could get fresh air more, walk in the park; pick up a hobby, go to the pool more. The idea is to get more first-tier (attainable) activities that would contribute toward the overall goal. I plan to go into the second tier when I have mastered the discipline of the initial goals.

Finally, there's the third tier. Here things are more complicated, because these are long-term goals that may actually exceed one year to obtain. These are loftier ideals of the type: "I want to be someone that I can admire" or "I want to become rich" (really). Ideally, these ideas would build on some of the lower first and second tier goals, and require further planning and breakdown. I won't be disheartened if I don't obtain these in my first year of planning them. They may require quite a lot of time, but it is important to make steps toward achieving them.

So, if you haven't applied your resolutions yet, perhaps you can try breaking them down as I have suggested. Give them a bit of time: sometimes resolutions are expressions of your innermost desires. And from time to time, it's worth remembering yourself.