January 2, 2007
Resolutions: Success or Failure?
Yesterday’s Blog Exchange theme was Change. While my very adorable, new friend Suzanne wrote about the change you can carry in your coin purse, I got to thinking about the kind of change that makes us want to be better.
As the New Year 2007 is ringing in, those pesky little aspirations we call resolutions arise in our minds. We vow to lose weight, eat less fat, exercise more, only drink in moderation, stop smoking, be better parents, read more books, clean and organize our homes, remodel our basements and the list goes on. Basically we’re making a vow to change our lives in the coming 12 months. But, how many of us actually stick to our resolutions?
I have to say that 9 times out of 10, I fail within the first month. I always say I’m going to go back to Weight Watchers and hit my target weight and blah, blah, blah.
Suddenly life becomes chaotic. I have a child to raise, a dog who needs to go to the vet, a husband who wants to overhaul the family room or paint the spare bedroom and lose sight of my goals.
As I’ve been thinking about why I fail when it comes to my resolutions I wonder if it has anything to do with being a woman, wife and mother. As women, we have the tendency to put others first. We put our husbands, partners, children, parents and bosses first and always ourselves last.
We feel guilty for being the least bit selfish. We hate spending money on things we don’t need. I’m the Queen of Buyers Remorse. I would spend $100 on my husband or son before I’d spend $20 on myself.
So when it comes to making new commitments for the year 2007, why am I so quick to fail at continuing my new goals?
Perhaps I’m just making excuses and I fail out of laziness. Perhaps I wasn’t that serious to begin with, but it makes me angry to quit. I want to scream from the rooftops that this is the year I succeed, but I’m afraid to do so because: What if I fail, again?
That must be it. I fail out of fear. I fail because I’m not thinking positive. Maybe I don’t have enough support to succeed. Maybe I need more support from myself.
Posted by Dana @ 6:15 AM • I Often Wonder,Uncategorized
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January 2nd, 2007 at 11:20 AM, Leslie Says:
I spent many years making resolutions and failing at them. A few years ago I found I am more likely to stick to my resolutions if I make them simple. Instead of saying “spend less money,” I resolved to “take my lunch to work instead of eating out.” I resolved to “read one new book per month” and “drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.” That was the first year I was successful. When I make those grand resolutions, I usually give up before I start. I’ve had more success making small changes.
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:23 PM, Mammacheryl Says:
Good luck, with whatever you choose to tackle. I would never start a resolution that didn’t include my husband playing along with me. Like Leslie, I’d make it really easy on myself. Instead of pledging to work out three times a week, I’ll say once a week. Hopefully, of course, I’ll do it more often, but then I won’t get discouraged by failure.
January 2nd, 2007 at 8:48 PM, Dana Says:
Thanks girls! I think I’m going to succeed this time. I really have a new found confidence!
January 4th, 2007 at 6:55 PM, Elizabeth Says:
“I want to scream from the rooftops that this is the year I succeed, but I’m afraid to do so because: What if I fail, again?”–This is EXACTLY what I face every time I set out to lose weight. I get high on that initial loss of 6 or 7 pounds, and then terrified when I realize that I will actually have to CHANGE. If I could just figure out what it is that scares me so much about losing weight, I think I could actually do it this time. I’ll hold your hand if you hold mine.