About those resolutions: aim low
Happy New Year! The year 2025 has arrived and will unfold an hour at a time, a day at a time.
This is a piece I wrote and that was published in our local paper on January 5, 2012. Thirteen years later, it still reads relevant, in my opinion. It has minor edits from the original piece.
About Those Resolutions–Aim Low
If you are looking for encouraging numbers, don’t look at success rates for New Year’s resolutions. They aren’t pretty. Unscientifically speaking, only one in four resolvers stick to their goals more than a few weeks. After doing some research of my own, the best numbers found came from one particular survey. In it, those who explicitly stated their resolutions were 10 times more likely to stick to them compared to those who didn’t formalize them in some way. Further reading yielded some real advice from real psychologists, leading me to conclude the best hope for sticking with one’s resolutions lies with these two suggestions: 1) aim low and 2) tell someone else your aim.
By aim low, I mean, start at the bottom rung of the ladder and work your way up, one rung at a time. Break a goal into simple and reasonable phases. Stop at each rung and celebrate the success, small as it may be. Our culture and mass media too often focus on quick fixes and unrealistic, even unattainable, aspirations. Weight loss and more exercise are common resolutions, but you can’t change your diet temporarily and expect permanent results and you can’t sculpt your abs in 10 minutes. A more realistic approach considers every step up a triumph. Even if you hang out on one rung for a while, you are higher than before, and taking in more than your previous view allowed.
Tell someone else your aim too. Make a commitment and be accountable. Say it like you mean it. It’s too easy to let ourselves off the hook, but tougher to disappoint those who are counting on us to inspire them. Of course, that means coming clean when there’s a slip, but having someone to celebrate with too, and someone to cheer you on. Better yet, maybe they will get their own ladder, aim low, and ascend with you.
Admittedly, it’s hard to make resolutions in a world constantly telling us we can get everything faster and easier. Love of convenience has our work ethic eroding. We need reminders that energy exerted brings the true benefits, and full appreciation of achievement. With effort also comes lasting self-esteem and long-term success. One rung at a time, feel good about drinking more water, eating more fresh fruit and fewer sweets, doing more sit ups than last time, walking more steps than yesterday. One rung at a time, be proud of the progress made today, just for today.
Since it’s here to stay, why not consider using modern technology to spur your resolve? Whether you desire to quit smoking, volunteer to help others more, have less stress, or recycle more, there’s an app for that. Have your cheerleaders text or email you reminders and words of encouragement. Get smart with your smart phone. Have it send you stress-reducing and/or exercise reminders. Preferring old-fashioned motivators like my alarm clock and a face-to-face conversation, I can’t always tell you which app is best, but I do believe any consistent application of effort is bound to lead to results. Whatever works. Get your ladder. Aim low. Start an upward trend. Happy New Year and happy climbing!
I will add this—two of my favorite phone apps that help me with my goals of peace, clarity, and good energy are Insight Timer and Ritual.
Onward!
