It’s almost January. Time to ring in the New Year. And we have basically had the last two years of being in quarantine to make a ton of resolutions that, for once, we have promised ourselves that we will keep.
Yes, we all want to lose those pandemic pounds, eat more vegetables, get fit, drink quarts of water instead of Zoom-inspired quarantinis, hold fewer grudges, manage our stress, sleep better and help the planet go greener. Well, I don’t know about you, but the first of my best goals and good intentions seem to be forgotten faster than annoying old acquaintances. That means about one minute past midnight this January 1st.
In the past, it has also been the time when we erroneously imagine that the arrival of a New Year will somehow magically provide us the wherewithal to reinvent ourselves. It won’t. It takes work. But don’t attempt to change your entire life or lifestyle in one fell swoop. Sometimes we set ourselves up for failure by making huge resolutions that are so unreal, they are bound to fail, throwing us into a tailspin and causing us to just give up before ever seeing them realized.
A friend of mine who writes a column for the New York Times once gave me a quote I will never forget as it sums up the way we all feel about New Year’s resolutions: “I’ve been giving up bread for approximately 15 years now—along with processed white sugar, dairy and red meat (other than liver, which would eliminate pâté and, as a result, would be unimaginable),” he told me “And these are just the dietary components of my annual New Year’s resolutions. There are also work resolutions and relationship resolutions, and of course, the most common and popular resolution of all: the resolve to exercise more frequently and rigorously, thereby leading to the loss of thousands of pounds of collective body weight. It goes without saying that I haven’t kept any of these resolutions for longer than a month. And even that’s probably an exaggeration.”
But can any of us make those resolutions really stick?
So this New Year, resolve to start fresh and finally get things right by utilizing every tool given to you. Know that you have the power to thrive, succeed, and become Better Than Before in 2022.
Here are 12 more tools I have gleaned from past interviews over the years to help in your quest:
- Think small, be flexible. We don’t need a behavioral scientist to tell us that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. Lasting change results from many small changes over time. And it is just as important to reward yourself when you take these small steps as well as when you take the big ones. Anticipate that life will throw you curveballs and be flexible enough not to let them knock you out of the game. Remove the “shoulds,” “musts,” and “have tos” from your vocabulary—they do nothing but add pressure.
- Be realistic—and specific. Instead of telling yourself, I am going to lose weight and be healthy next year, it is better to say, I will lose five pounds by February 15 by walking for 20 minutes three days a week and no longer drinking soda. The more specific, measurable, and attainable a goal is, the more likely it can be reached.
- Eat your vegetables! Your body is programmed to be very smart. All you have to do is give it what it needs to succeed. Indeed, your body can accomplish amazing feats of good health when it receives real food. So eat more salads, bright-colored, aboveground vegetables (broccoli, spinach, kale, asparagus, green beans, peppers, cucumbers, squash, avocado, eggplant, and barley greens), organic, free-range eggs, super berries (cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries), organic chicken, turkey, and grass-fed beef and lamb. Limit fried food, pork, shellfish, farm-raised fish, hydrogenated oil found in commercially prepared baked goods, margarines, snacks, and processed foods, soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, chips, sweet drinks, snacks and desserts.
- Walk don’t run. Unfortunately, some of the biggest failures in our New Year’s resolutions are found in the fitness department. We all vow to join a gym, take a Kettle Bell or Spin class, swim laps, go for a long run with the dog, or hop on the at-home bike. It’s admirable to want to do all of the above, but it’s best to keep it simple: Just resolve to include one physical activity you love in your day to get your blood flowing and exercise your muscles, heart and lungs. This can be as easy as briskly walking around the block or the mall. As you progress and you’re successful with the first change, you can make another one after a month or so. Increase your fitness level by walking a little farther or alternate your walk by jogging short bursts in between. If you do decide to go to a gym, have a one-hour consultation with an on-staff trainer who will assess your fitness level and work out a personalized exercise program. Promising to get in shape by not making unreasonable fitness goals will be one resolution that is very possible to keep.
- Glisten up. While you are making your resolutions, think about the beauty aspects in your life as well—both inner and outer. Setting realistic beauty goals are as important as those for your health. One famous beauty expert suggested that we fill ourselves up with warmth and share that glow with others. Gaze into the morning sun, she said, and let the rays shine into your eyes. That sunshine will help you look and act radiant. Even when you don’t feel particularly attractive that day, put yourself together so you look attractive. And soon you’ll start feeling it, too. Have a manicure; it’s always uplifting to get compliments on how soft your hands are or how nice your nails look. Have your hair colored and styled. Grey roots can be depressing. When you leave your house, even just putting on lipstick will make you feel more beautiful.
- Envision success. When you paint a crystal-clear mental picture of how you would like your life to be, you have taken the first step toward getting there. Set aside 10 minutes of quiet time per day to think about your health and life. Write out your goals in a loving way that reframes them into present time, such as, “I love my slim, supple body that supports me in every way.” Or “every cell in my body is radiating good health.”
- Don’t try to make changes in your life alone. Gather supportive people around you, such as family and friends. We all need motivation and encouragement when the going gets tough and we feel like giving up. Break your New Year’s resolution down into small achievable steps and go for one step at a time. Share your goals with your support network and make the journey together. You will find the strength you need to keep going when you feel discouraged and enjoy celebrating your successes and build closer relationships on the way.
- Forgive and forget. In reviewing your spirituality, or lack thereof, in 2022, you may also want to think about who in your life hurt you physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually and decide what you want to do about the residual feelings. Have you been able to forgive these people or do you ruminate on your feelings of betrayal, anger, hurt or loss? When we hate someone, they own us because every day our energy is depleted by this negative emotion.
- Do the write thing. Daily journaling to write down your objectives, whatever they may be, is a great way to reduce stress and help you stick to your goals. Just be sure to set aside some time each day to do so. It needs to be a priority that is met regularly since people often ignore their resolutions simply because they get so caught up in day-to-day life that stress takes over. This creative activity will help take your mind off that stress, especially if you keep a “gratitude” journal to keep track of all the things you are thankful for in your life. Another great way to alleviate stress is to become completely involved in an art project. For example, have your children create a book for their grandparents out of their artwork. This would be using art as therapy in a very productive way.
- Go with the flow. The power of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of improving your life by creating harmonious environments which foster the best possible health, wealth and relationships, can transform not only your home but also can lead to a more balanced, functional and energetic you for the New Year. To that end, and to help your dreams and wishes come true in 2022, start by de-cluttering and reorganizing your home and office. By emptying your closets and cabinets, you will enable fresh new energy and opportunities to flow to you. Then, ensure your refrigerator, pantry, canisters, and shakers are all full, as this represents abundance for the year ahead. Respect the money in your wallet—and your wallet itself. Make sure it is not worn out or tattered. Keeping it full symbolizes having enough money all year long.
- Accentuate the positive. I have found that small rewards with each milestone encourage me to keep going. That doesn’t mean that if you lost five pounds the first week that you should indulge yourself with a large slab of red velvet cake. Instead, treat yourself to something nonfood related, like a long nap, a trip to the movies or a hot rock massage at a day spa. Later you can change the rewards to monthly and then at the end of the year, you can pick an anniversary reward, something that you’ll truly look forward to. Perhaps a trip to a destination spa. You will have deserved it, and you will have earned it.
- It’s easy being green. This New Year, resolve to help the planet. There are two questions I am asked most often: ‘Can one person really make a difference?’ and ‘How?’ The answer to the first is easy: Yes! It is the story of human history—but those who never try to make a difference never do. Look to your own life to find that something special you can make happen. Surely there are creative acts you can perform, invent and organize that will change the world right in your own backyard if you are bold enough to try. Jump right in. The planet is waiting.
Finally, I wanted to share with you a blog that one of the country’s preeminent fitness experts posted the other day. He’s Marc Perry, the founder of BuiltLean and the creator of BuiltLean Transformation. It is very inspirational and good advice for all of us as we embark on a New Year, one that will hopefully make us all Better Than Before, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Here’s the story:
When something bad happens, what do you normally do?
Do you get stressed out or feel helpless?
Jocko Willink is a former U.S. Navy Seal commander who received the Silver and Bronze Stars for his service in the Iraq War.
He is also the author of Extreme Ownership, which is a best-selling book on leadership.
When something bad happens, he doesn’t get stressed. He doesn’t worry about the problem.
He says “good.”
He immediately shifts his mindset towards a solution. He finds the silver lining. He understands that something good can always come from something “bad”.
Just got laid off from your job?
Good. You can find another one that is a better fit for you.
Your business sales are dropping?
Good. You can cut unnecessary costs and find a new way to generate even more sales.
Just herniated a disc in your lower back?
Good. Now you can take a more holistic approach to improving your body’s health and well-being.
The net net is that it’s all mindset. All perspective. We control our attitude, effort, and focus. If we choose, we can maintain a positive mindset in the face of any adversity.
So to all my readers and listeners, I wish you a Merry Christmas. And a New Year that is filled with health, happiness, prosperity—and all that is Divine!
