New Year's Resolutions: Removing the Negative to Allow for Positive Change

Res-o-lu-tion: (1) a firm decision to do or not to do something; (2) the quality of being determined or resolute

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In the last few years, the idea of creating or having a set of new year's resolutions has developed a negative connotation. I'm sure we have all heard someone say, be it in real life or via a form of social media "Oh, these are just the 'resolutioners.' They'll be back doing their usual routine in the next two weeks." 

How unfortunate that someone feels it is okay to judge other people's goal setting and timeline as a fad that will pass? As a person who loves to make lists, check things off, create timelines, and start new things on "the first" of something (be it the day of the week or a new year), I thrive on the idea of resolutions. They're a list of things I wish to accomplish over the next year. Why wouldn't anyone be excited about creating this style of list/goals for themselves?! Hasn't it been proven that if you work to manifest your dreams and goals that the likelihood of achieving them increases exponentially?

So I want you to take this post as someone telling you resolutions are OKAY and, in fact, I 100% support a person having them. However, I want to encourage you to be specific about your resolutions. Think of them as goals you are creating for yourself to meet in the new year that have purpose in bringing you closer to achieving your full potential whether it be in your personal life, professional life, or both.

For example, many people make the resolution to "lose X amount of weight." This is a great resolution to have if you are working toward a happier and healthier you (and as long as you are doing it in a safe and healthy way!) Yet, this is a large goal that has about a thousand ways you could achieve it. I suggest breaking this major goal into some smaller goals that will impact your daily life in a positive way. Instead of "I will lose X amount of pounds" instead think "I will have at least 1 meal a day that is comprised of healthy fruits and veggies" coupled with "I will exercise 3 times a week." This type of resolution or goal setting helps create tangible smaller goals that will have a major impact on that larger umbrella goal you have set for the new year. As you get comfortable with meeting these goals, you can alter them to continue to help you working toward your major goal. Who says the resolutions we make at the very beginning of the year can't change as we start to see the positive changes in our lives as a result of them?

This year I am making a list of four smaller goals that I would like to achieve throughout 2021 in conjunction with one major goal that I'm treating as my over-arching 2021 resolution. You can see my current goals below on my "2021 Resolution" list (they may change a little before 2021 rolls out). If you would like to create one of your own, you can access the free editable template by clicking here. Be sure you follow the instructions on the first page of the template to avoid losing any of the work you put into your own!

I hope you feel relieved of any shame or guilt you may have held in terms of creating new year's resolutions. Let this post be the voice that tells you it is awesome to set goals for yourself in the coming new year and you should be excited for all that is in store for you. Of course there will still be those people who roll their eyes and call you a "resolutioner," but that is only a reflection of them. Set your goals, manifest them, and make them work and happen for you.

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Cheers to you for a happy and successful 2021 (and adios to 2020)!