Resolute In the New Year

The Resolutions & Intrusive Thoughts

There is something bitter sweet about welcoming a new year. On the sweet end, a new year can be a reset button and a way to look forward to new goals or opportunities in the coming months. On the bitter end, we can reflect on the goals that we didn't get to or that we let fall by the wayside whether it be due to time constraints, personal choices, or straight up forgetting about it. When organizing our thoughts to plan the upcoming future, There is an issue that most people face. It is the annoying voice in our heads telling us about everything cringe we did or said at thirteen while in the shower. Psychological studies refer to it as inner speech and colloquially referred to as intrusive thoughts. I have been thinking about this a lot regarding my New Year's resolutions this year. That said, I am deciding to be more intentional and, forgive my pun, resolute in my resolutions this year. To not let anything fall through the cracks, I am putting some guidelines on myself and resolutions.

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The Guard Rails

1. The resolution must not be vague

2. The resolution must have a definable goal

3. The resolution must be achievable

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Let's Get Specific

Each of these goals might seem obvious, but in a way they are not. How many of us set New Year's resolutions and just completely forget about it? Either because it is wishful thinking or is not created with intent? Maybe both? I know I have been guilty of this. Let's go one by one.

Vagueness

We have all done it. I am guilty telling myself each year, "I'm going to go to the gym more." Um... Ok? How often is more? In relation to the frequency of now? What is the desired outcome? Are we building muscle? Losing weight? I think you get the point. What is crucial in setting a goal like this is to get as specific as possible. So, let's change "go to the gym more" to "I intend to exercise at least three times per week." That is more specific while also stating the intention.

Definable Goal

So, I want to go to exercise three times per week. It might sound obvious that exercise is to "get fit," right? Well, it's not as simple as that. Remember to be specific in each area of the resolution, so we will have to dig a bit into the reason for the gym. Personally, I want to be more confident in the way my body looks, therefore I should set a goal weight that I want to achieve. I want to lose 10lbs. Let's tack that onto the resolution from part one. "I intend to exercise at least three times per week so I can lose 10 pounds and feel better about my body." Great!

Achievability

This part is essential in creating all of my resolutions this year. If I put my mind to it, I'm sure that I could lose 20lbs and get a six pack with pecks. Is that realistic though? Part of this parameter is to know yourself, and I know that I have so many other things that I like to do and focus on that I cannot spend 2 hours in the gym every other day to work on my figure. Maybe I can compromise and go for 15lbs, or I can try to lose 10lbs before summer. Getting more specific is always good, but do not create a goal that is outside of yourself. Try to investigate yourself and what you believe is achievable.

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My Resolute Resolutions

1. Go to the gym at least three times per week and lose 10lbs by the end of the year

2. Create a 5 page document outlining three act structure for the story I'm writing by the end of the year

3. Create and maintain bi-weekly blog posts on the website for the whole year

These are my resolutions. Using this structure, let me know what resolutions you come up with. Remember to keep in mind that a resolution does not have to come at the start of a new year. We might measure time in so many different ways but we can always start new goals and change our routine any day out of the 365 days in a year.

Happy New Year!