January first is the day we have a fresh start! When we can wipe the slate clean. Well, we can’t wipe the slate clean. And, technically, we don’t get a fresh start or a second chance to make a first impression. But we CAN change the direction of our lives. We CAN make a change to become a better version of ourselves. Which is where New Year’s resolutions come into play.

What does the word ‘resolution’ mean? It means “a firm decision to do or not to do something”. Making a resolution – a firm decision – is never usually the problem, however. The problem is usually the follow-through!

So why do a lot of resolutions not stick? Well, let’s take a look at what a lot of resolutions tend to be…

A resolution to make a change in your life is often worded as an outcome – a goal! But just like any successfully-achieved goal, a resolution should be specific and measurable. What do I mean? Too many resolutions use the words ‘more’, ‘less’, ‘better’…. Sound familiar? They are way too abstract! “My new year’s resolution is to… drink more water… eat healthier… be happy… work harder… take care of myself… be better at keeping in touch with friends…”

These resolutions are so general that they will never come to fruition. Or, at least, there will be a valiant attempt for the first week (or two), and then life will get in the way, and convenience will take priority, shifting us back to our habitual way of living.

But how can we change? How can we make them stick? How can our resolutions be successful? My suggestion?!… Be specific. Instead of “lose weight”…. How much weight? And how are you going to lose it? Eating differently? How differently? Exercising? What kind of exercise? And how often?

Being successful at achieving our goals means ditching the abstract, and being specific. And maybe the goal/resolution should not be about the outcome, but about following through and committing to the process! That’s what I did on my journey to the Olympics. There are never any guarantees when pursuing a goal. But I committed to a process – a program, a plan – that, if followed, would increase the likelihood of my being successful at the Games.

So instead of “lose weight”, maybe it should be “to exercise at the gym three times per week (you could even specify which days), and cycling or running two times per week for the next X weeks”! Instead of “take care of myself”, maybe it should be “to get a massage during the first week of every month, and taking time alone for thirty minutes on Sundays and Wednesdays to read – not a newspaper or something of necessity”.

So make your resolution a process instead of an outcome – a very specific and manageable lifestyle change. Two more tips to successfully following-through with your resolution:

1) Document your process – your actions and your progress
2) Make yourself accountable. The more people who know about your resolution/intentions, the more you will follow-through.

Believe in the possibilities of what 2015 can hold for you, those around you, and for the world as a whole.

I wish you all the best for 2015. More specifically?! I wish you health, happiness, perspective, and the gift of time spent with friends and loved ones! But more than anything, I wish for all of you the realization that we are all capable of way more than we give ourselves credit for! Use this January first kick-start to become that better version of yourself, whatever you decide that to be. That’s what I’ll be doing!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Smiles….
Heather