The only resolution that works

Stop! Don't do it!

I know it's the "new year," that ritualistic period whereby we become fixated on ridding ourselves of that sluggish, bloated, overloaded blob-like feeling in which we wrapped ourselves for the previous two months. Whipped up by cartons of cookies and bags of breadstuffs; flavored by truckloads of turkey with gravy, ham with glaze, or both; coated in tankards of eggnog (with and without rum); we are just darn-near ready to put on the brakes and embrace our "new me."

It is a cultural happening. As ubiquitous was "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" last month are now the signs of this new year's dawning. Full-page gift ads have converted to double truck spreads promoting six-pack abs and shriek, "Have the sexy glutes you've always wanted!" Even jolly old Saint Nick has shifted his routine. Two weeks ago, singing elves warmly patted their bellies after consuming plates of iced cookies. Today? Santa's helpers wear sweatpants and can barely let forth a hum as they aspire to get heart rates into the target zone while pounding away on the treadmill in the new North Pole gym.

Our entire national psyche has clunked over from, "how much can I eat?" to "Oh my goodness! How will I undo what I have done?" We are ready - daresay eager - to toss away yesterday's consume-all mentality in the same fashion as we pitched torn wrapping paper into the recycling bin not very long ago.

Hmmm...maybe recycling bin is a bad analogy. After all, that means it will be reused. Or - on second thought - maybe it's accurate. After all, how many times have we traveled this same tattered, threadbare, circular path? One might say we don't throw away our habits; we merely recycle them. I applaud the concept, "Renew, reuse, recycle." However, in this instance, it might be better to stop with "Renew."

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

To merely raise your right hand and solemnly spout forth, "This year, I will..." does not guarantee next year will begin differently than did this one. The primary cause of the yearly February condition known as "RF" (Resolution Fatigue) is a misunderstanding of how to accomplish our objectives. Many think that the key is to dream bigger, reach further, aim higher. They also might think french fries come from France. (They'd be wrong on both accounts.)

We do that because we so want our results NOW! We want to be "there" as soon as possible. But, no matter how hard we stomp our feet, and cry "foul," change does not work that way. Change does not - poof - happen! Rather, it evolves. Sometimes it inches forward, oft times it slides backwards. Like life, it does not travel a straight path. As example, if I desire to lose 30 pounds, I cannot put together a plan for the endpoint. Instead I must first learn how to drop one and actually keep it off. Small goal - repeat as necessary.

Resolutions, goals, promises - whatever we might label them - collapse because we target the broad goal rather than shoot for small long-lasting changes.

Want to know the only resolution that works? Give up on yearly resolutions. Make them small. Make them often, and make sure they stick. Everything else will take care of itself.