Once again,a new year has rolled around. It is time to make plans.

Personally, I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions.  Everybody knows they don’t work.  According to a 2015 article in US News, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the first week in February. So why bother?

Instead of making a resolution to exercise more or eat healthier, I recommend setting goals.  If you’ve followed my posts about creating tension in your life you will understand that adopting a resolution without first creating a clear picture of the outcome you desire is a recipe for February failure.

If you think you should exercise more, ask yourself why.  What will more exercise get you?  Do you want to be buff?  If so, why.

Even more important than the vision is knowing why.  Are you setting your resolutions to accomplish something you truly desire?  Is your resolution something that supports your values, enhances your life or is it something presumed by the people around you? Is it possible you think you need to look different because that is what you’ve been told by people who stand to gain when you buy their supplements, adopt their exercise routine, show up at their gym?

Don’t Make a Resolution, Set a Goal

What is it you want?  I know this is a difficult question.  Most of us just go along with what others want for us.  This silencing of our own wants leads to anxiety, loneliness, frustration, a vague feeling of unhappiness and complaining.

The trouble with all these things: anxiety, unhappiness, complaining, is they are a substitute for getting what you want.  If you find yourself considering  setting a typical resolution, stop and ask yourself where is the happiness in getting more exercise, in eating healthy?  Until you can be specific about the why?  You will not be motivated to succeed.