Jawaria: Resolutions
Each New Year begins with resolutions and goals. As the year progresses the resolutions fade and motivation diminishes.
A resolution is a commitment to oneself in order to achieve a goal. Perhaps, most resolutions fail because the commitment isn't strong or one isn't ready to take the leap.
Resolutions are hard to keep because it’s a commitment and most people fear commitment as it doesn't provide instant gratification. You could do 100 push ups a day without results for a month, feeling pain and misery. So by the time the month is half way over, so is the resolution.
Commitments are like agriculture you sow the seed, water it and wait a while to see the flowers bloom. It's requires patience and time which most people do not have at their fingertips.
Each person has different goals, reasons and priorities. Often we focus on the smaller things but ignore the big picture. We make goals to lose weight, quit bad habits, become more financially stable, become organised, maintain more contact with loved ones and do better in every aspect of our daily lives. In short, we try to gain control over the tiny details of everyday events not realising that the very essence of life is that we as humans aren't in control of it.
And since we aren't in control of the big events, we become nit picky and obsessed with smaller details and try to control those aspects of our lives.
As a result, even the smallest glitch or trip can send us in a downward spiral and cause failure. Perhaps, failure is caused because we don't know which direction we are supposed to be headed in, or the goals we are choosing are not what we truly want.
So, let's resolve to make resolutions that are practical and humanly possible.
1) Make the goals realistic and attainable. Instead of trying to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks try to lose it in 3 months. This way you are making a lifestyle change, not a short term change in your habits.
2) Remain consistent: don't change your path midway. Finish what you started even if it's not the easiest path. Completing your task will motivate you to go farther.
3) Commit to your own happiness: plan and follow things that only make you happy. If you make resolutions which are to please others you aren't doing it for the right reasons.
A resolution is only a resolution if not completed. Once completed, it becomes an achievement. Hence, the strife should be for achievements not for resolutions.