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Top on the list of ‘should not do’s’ is anything that is very specific. “I resolve that I’m going to lose 30 pounds by summer” is an example. The time frame isn’t bad, but by specifically saying 30 pounds, you are setting yourself up for a resolution you can’t keep. Loosing weight is a realistic resolution, loosing a specific amount of weight is not.
You should also not make resolutions based on other people’s wants or desires, rather than on your own. Do you want to quit smoking? Great! But resolving to quit smoking because your husband, wife, kids, aunts, uncles, or whoever want you to quit is again, leading to a broken resolution. You must want to make a change before you can make it, and no matter how much someone else wants you to make the change, if you aren’t of the same mindset, it isn’t going to happen.
Bad New Years Resolutions To Make
- Don’t make resolutions that are overly vague. True, “I will be nicer next year” is easily attainable, but it doesn’t mean a great deal, so it is rather hollow. Nicer than what? Nicer to who? Nicer in what way? The idea is for you to feel good about the result of the resolution and to draw strength from it.
- Don’t make any resolution that you are pressured or pushed into. If someone tells you that they’ve made such and such a resolution and want to know what resolutions you’ve made, do not come up with something off the top of your head. Instead, say something like, “I’m glad that you have made that resolution. I haven’t decided yet what resolutions I’m going to make.”
- Don’t make totally unrealistic resolutions. I might want to have the body of a super model or the mind of Einstein, but neither will ever happen. Resolving to have the body of Cindy or the mind of Albert aren’t going to make it happen, so such a resolution is doomed to failure the moment it is made.
- Don’t make resolutions that go against what you really like. These too are asking for the failure bug to show its’ face. If you hate opera, there is no good reason to resolve to take the little lady to the opera much more often next year. Chances are that it’s not going to happen. You can make good resolutions involving the same thing, though, such as resolving to be a little more understanding when the little lady wants to go to the opera. This is different.
Setting yourself up for failure is a way to destroy your confidence. Setting yourself up for success is a way to build it. Which do you prefer?
