By now, 36% of you who made New Year’s resolutions have given up on your goal(s) and by July 1st 55% of you will have thrown in the towel on your resolutions.
For several years running now, losing weight is the number 1 resolution. In 2016 it is still ranked as number 1 followed by:
- Getting Organized.
- Spend Less, Save More.
- Enjoy life to the fullest.
- Staying fit and healthy.
- Learn something exciting.
- Quit Smoking.
- Help others.
- Fall in Love.
And finally…
- Spend more time with Family
Why do so many fail at sticking to their best intentions?
I suggest that the three top reasons that resolutions fail is that:
- The resolutions are not specific.
- They are unrealistic
- They are based on ones willpower instead of behavioral changes.
I would like to offer a different approach to making positive and sustainable changes in your life.
First, start out by completing the circle of life exercise (download at right, or here). You will find two circles. On the top circle divide the circle into slices of how you are currently spending your awake time in each of the life domains listed on the right hand side of the page.
Now turn your focus on the second circle at the bottom of the page. On this circle divide it into slices of how you ideally want to spend your awake time in each of the life domains listed on the left hand side of the page.
The final part of the exercise is to write down one thing related to each life domain that you are committed to doing in order to achieve your ideal circle. For instance, under the family domain your one thing might be that you will eat at least three dinner time meals together each week, and during the meal you will have all electronics turned off in order to have a valuable family discussion. Another example would be in the physical health domain you will commit to taking a 15 minute walk at least 4 times per week.
The idea is to make small, yet achievable choices in each domain in order to create the life that you want. When you make good choices and you practice them with commitment, your life will start to reflect the choices you have made and changes will occur. I remind you, that the life you are currently living is due to the choices you have made. Start making better choices and you will start to experience a better life!