After the over-indulgence of the past few days, are you planning to make New Year’s resolutions? If you’re like the rest of us, chances are, you’re probably going to break them too! Most resolutions, although fuelled with good intent, are little more than clichés and empty promises.
How many of us, wake up a little groggy on January 1st swearing we’re never going to drink /smoke/stay up all night/ (*******) again?
If, like thousands of others, your noble intentions fall by the wayside before January is out, we have some advice that might just help.
William McCann, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center says “I think most people make resolutions that they don’t achieve because they seem so overwhelming.”
He recommends that we should make resolutions that we are sure to be able to follow through on. In other words if you want to be able to say “I did it!” next December 31st, you need to lower your expectations.
McCann’s sample list of attainable New Year’s resolutions:
- I will eat a little less fried food this year.
- I will drive a little more slowly this year.
- I will help others a little more this year.
- I will interfere in my children’s lives a little less this year.
- I will talk a little less and listen a little more.
- I will smile a little more this year.
- I will be a little better person than I was last year.
Me? I’m going to try a little of all of the above! Share your resolutions with us – those you’ve tried, those you’ve failed. We’d love to hear from you.
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