| New Year's Resolutions |
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People have so much on their plate and the fact that we are creatures of habit limits how much we can change at one time. Here are some of the most common resolutions:
I'm going to lose weight I'm going to stop smoking I'm going to start exercising more I'm going to pay off credit cards I'm going to save for a vacation I'm going to get the house refinanced And after 10 days working on all of these, a person gets worn out! And now you are stuck with a gym membership!
It is OK to want all of these things but it is best to work on them one at a time. Have you heard that it takes 21 days to make a new habit? How about 28 days? 31 days? When I stopped smoking, I used the 21 day theory and it didn't work. I got over needing a cigarette but still had desires that lasted for 6 months before the habit was "kicked." The amount of time it takes to make a change depends on the habit.
I think you can make multiple changes and improvements in a year but I think they should be done one at a time. Work on it for a couple months until it feels real then you can move on to something new. Think about how great it would be if you could change or improve 4 things in your life over the course of a year. As you set goals for 2012, plan 1-2 goals in each of the following areas: 1. Spiritual/Value Goals ex: Start going to church weekly 2. Family/Relationship Goals ex: Spending more time with your children each night
3. Health/Physical Goals ex: Exercising 5 days per week for 30 minutes each (if you aren't doing anything start with 2-3 days per week)Eating healthier foods Join Weight Watchers and lose 15 pounds 4. Career/Financial Goals ex: Pay off a couple credit cards
Here is how to make things happen after a few hours of planning:
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