New Year's Resolutions - Can you really stick to them?

It's that time of year when the media start talking about New Year resolutions and the multi-national corporations start pushing their diet plans, smoking cessation products, foods that "help" with your diet plan etc. etc. etc. playing on the guilt factor that we don't look the way THEY have brainwashed us in to thinking we should look. Most people are heartily sick of it but we still spend billions a year on their products. 

Why?

Simply, I thinks it's because we all want to feel good about ourselves. That seems like a fair enough statement, doesn't it? But in my journey through this wonderful world of personal development one thing strikes me again and again.

We've forgotten how to feel good about ourselves - we've forgotten how to be happy and heaven forbid if you are! How many times have you heard in conversation "What's she so happy about?" or even worse -  "What are YOU so happy about?" - as if it's a crime! How perverse is that?

So is losing weight or ceasing smoking going to make you feel better about yourself?

It can do if you start to become aware of the language you use around the whole subject. So let's look at the typical language around, let's say, weight loss which is a major subject this time of year. People use phrases such as "I need to lose weight" or " I ought to lose weight" or "I should lose weight".

Wow! They're really motivational aren't they?

Hmmm, how could they be re-phrased to make you more open to accepting them?

By looking at the positive aspects of being slimmer you can start to move towards your goal. For instance, what dress size would you like to fit in to by summer (or for the men what waist size). How much healthier would you feel? How much more attractive would you feel? Create a mental image of yourself looking fitter and slimmer in new clothing.

Try saying something along the lines of - "I choose to drop 'x' dress sizes by summer and look forward to being healthier and choosing a great new outfit to show myself off in" (Obviously the men won't say this - although I've a few dodgy male friends who might - you know who you are!! ;-) )  -  How does that statement feel as opposed to "<groan> I really ought to lose weight". 


It feels better doesn't it?


By changing our language and using a more positive spin, especially if you 'choose' to do these changes, things start to happen - I'm not advocating the old 80s 'looking in the mirror affirmation chanting' stuff but just starting to look for the positive aspect of why you are doing what you are doing (becoming slimmer) and picturing yourself in the future having achieved it and noting how great that feels. 


And it doesn't cost a penny .....