Reframing the Success Criteria of your New Year Resolutions

https://unsplash.com/search/photos/happy-new-year @crazynana

Happy New Year! As I’ve committed to extending well wishes in writing, four-days into the new year I can’t help but wonder…when does one stop wishing people a Happy New Year? Is there an etiquette surrounding this? I of course turn to Google, and apparently, I am not the only one who has wondered (CNN has even tackled and consulted etiquette experts on the subject—who knew there was such a thing?!).

Anyway, I’ve discovered that there are no set rules, but there are certainly some very strong opinions surrounding the termination of this holiday greeting. For some, after Jan. 1 has come and gone so must the ‘Happy New Year!’ Yet, for others, it is deemed appropriate to stretch it out for the first week of January (and it would appear I am falling into this bucket although, I did take my decorations down January 1st).

So, despite my bit of a ramble I am going to leave my LONG festive greeting as the opener for my post and get to the point…which just so happens to coincide with the new year theme and that being ‘resolutions.’ Again, a topic which divides the masses. I turn to google again for some assistance. According to Collins dictionary a New Year resolution may be defined as a promise to yourself or decision to do something, especially to improve one’s behaviour or lifestyle in some way, during the year ahead.

What are the most popular resolutions?
According to Statista, the 10 Most Popular Resolutions for 2019 are:
​
1. Diet or eat healthier (71 percent)
2. Exercise more (65 percent)
3. Lose weight (54 percent)
4. Save more and spend less (32 percent)
5. Learn a new skill or hobby (26 percent)
6. Quit smoking (21 percent)
7. Read more (17 percent)
8. Find another job (16 percent)
9. Drink less alcohol (15 percent)
10. Spend more time with family and friends (13 percent)
 
*2000 people surveyed. USA
 
I must confess I am one of 'those people’ who every January 1st, sits down with a coffee and logs her resolutions for the upcoming year. Some of the Top 10 are on my list and yes, yes, many of my resolutions are the same year after year—in particular, the healthy mind and body. But I have come to this conclusion--rather than view the execution of my list as simple successes and failures I have opted to frame it differently.  

For example, one of my resolutions from 2018, was to try a new experience every month. Did I make it to 2019 with 12 new experiences—no, I did not. Was this a failure because I did not accomplish EXACTLY what I set out to do? No, it was not. I had 6 new experiences I might not of otherwise had, had there not been a resolution—one of which was dog sledding in Haliburton, Ontario and it was fantastic--hurray for me.

For 2019, I have put 'to try a new experience every month' on my list again. It doesn’t have to be expensive or earth shattering it can be…dining in a new restaurant or hiking in a new location. Easy and manageable feel good experience goals. And, can I just say...I very much look forward to the execution of these new experiences. And IF for some reason I fall short of my target number, I will still be further ahead than if I didn't try at all—the same may be said for exercise or weight loss—any goal.

Happy New Year! (I just had to write it one last time).  I wish you all the best in 2019 and when tackling your resolutions be kind to yourself and may you have many hurrays along the way. 

https://unsplash.com/search/photos/happy-new-year @NordWood themes