January 1, 2015 has come and gone, “Happy Belated New Year” from my house to yours! For so many that’s the day where goals get set for the brand new year.
Most common change:
- Lose weight
- Stop smoking
- Get Organized
- Change careers
- Exercise
- Spend more time with family
- And the list goes on and on…
Personally, it has been many years since I’ve made a New Years resolution. It occurred to me that it was unnecessary to wait until January 1st in order to reinvent myself. Isn’t it strange that if we want change we don’t put it off for a day, a week, or a month instead we wait for a brand spanking new year.
According to the University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology the percentage of American who usually make New Years resolutions is 45%. Those resolutions are maintained the first week by 75% of the people. After six months maintained by 46%. Actually I was pleasantly surprised by the results.
What happened to the rest of the people?
My guess is they weren’t as committed, or perhaps life just got in the way. Goals get made because we get influenced by others. Don’t get me wrong, I’m big on change but we have to be committed to ourselves in order for it to work. It’s good to have a buddy system but in the end the choice is made by us.
From my mind to yours…
There’s a saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” and while this may be true for dogs, some believe it’s the same for people. It is true, some people hate change in any form! However what I have found, is that age isn’t a barrier unless you decide that’s true for you.
Let’s face it, most of us want to be happy, enjoy life, keep stress at bay and enjoy peace.
My Conclusion
After reading much on the subject I have come to the conclusion that instead of focusing on ourselves we should be”paying it forward” with small acts of kindness each day. Smile, hold a door open, give up your seat to someone else, write a heartfelt note, say thank you, buy someone a coffee, or groceries. It’s really simple when you think about it, we all feel better when we do a good deed. When you feel good you get happier and when you’re happier change begins to happen. It changes your perspective and life is much richer in everything you experience.
It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are no wasted moments…
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