Staying on Track this New Years
I don’t know about you guys, but I have made some indulgences as of late, and frequently noted “I can’t wait to get back on track after the new year!” I have stated more than once about wanting to get back on a work-out, eat right, have a consistent work schedule, and improve my self-care routine. Let’s face it, the holidays get all of us off track! It’s pretty common to want self-improvement in the new year, but not everyone is able to succeed in their goals. Read below on the best ways to stay on course with New Year’s Resolutions:
1. Stop seeing things in black and white. When we view the world as all right and all wrong, we tend to slip off track. For instance, if we are trying for a healthier life style and have cake at the office party, someone that sees things in black and white, might think “well I failed so I should stop trying.” Instead, a healthier thought process would be, “this is a real treat that I’m going to make sure I enjoy thoroughly without guilt. It’s okay to have treats at times. I’ll make sure to be back on track tomorrow!” Don’t let one slip up set you off track. Instead, plan that there will be times that you won’t make it to the gym, you eat more than you had planned, or just don’t have the energy to carry through with your goals.
2. Find support this year. There is no reason to go through this alone. Find a partner that has similar goals and keep each other accountable. Find a Facebook group, a friend, co-worker, or seek support from your partner. No matter who you choose, make sure to have some support this year!
3. Often times, goals don’t work because we feel overwhelmed. Instead of creating a lifelong dream, create small achievable goals. Break that big goal into small achievable steps. For instance, instead of having a goal of losing 50 pounds, make a goal of losing 2 pounds within the next month. This helps us to not feel overwhelmed and discouraged!
4. Lastly, make sure your ultimate goal is a happier, more authentic, and fulfilling life. If your pursuit of a goal is creating lower self-esteem, stress, or anxiety it might be time to reflect what is going on to cause these emotions. Give yourself permission to reflect and re-evaluate. Counseling is a great way to determine values, priorities, and goals in order to create a more authentic life. If New Year’s Resolutions aren’t working, maybe it’s a time that you could benefit from identifying your true values for authentic living.
Written by Amy Rollo, M.A., LSSP, LPC-S
If you’re concerned about your ability to stay on track this year, contact us to see how adult therapy can help.
Amy Rollo is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and owner of Heights Family Counseling. Amy has been practicing counseling and diagnostic evaluations for fifteen years. She has doctoral level training in the areas of child and adolescent counseling, evaluations, marriage and family therapy, and adult counseling. Amy Rollo provides counseling and evaluation services in the Houston Heights and surrounding areas. Amy’s goal in counseling is to journey with her clients in order to foster positive changes and growth in their lives. Read more about Amy's counseling style by visiting www.heightsfamilycounseling.com and read more about her services by visiting http://heightsfamilycounseling.com/services-1/