Never Set A New Year’s Resolution Again
On one hand I get resolutions as a New Year can feel like a new opportunity to make some necessary changes. The problem with them is people set the same ones every year, especially with health.
Some examples:
I am going to lose 30 pounds
I am going to work out 5 days per week
I am going to eat better
And the list goes on.
The best way to avoid this is to make permanent changes and that comes by way of 2 things:
- Defining your Values
- Raising your standards
I always know who has heath as a top value when I meet them as they are usually in decent shape and eat somewhat healthy. As a side note it’s not always the case as I know some people may not be at their ideal weight yet and are working hard to get there.
Below are some examples of values but there are many more than just these:
- Family
- Freedom
- Security
- Loyalty
- Intelligence
- Connection
- Creativity
- Humanity
- Success
- Respect
- Health
Once you decide and define what is important to you, you can set your goals and live your life around what lines up with these. If you never figure this out its easy to just drift through life without direction.
I always advise my clients to define these but they better make sure health is a top 3 or at least 5. Whatever is low on the list will get the least attention. It becomes much easier to make tough decisions in the future as you are guided by your values. For instance, if health is a top value, you are less likely to do something harmful for your health if it is a top value. If financial security is a top value, you will not be reckless with money.
The next thing you need to do is raise your standards. I have always appreciated this quote from Tony Robbins:
“If you sincerely want to change your life: RAISE YOUR STANDARDS. What changes people is when their “SHOULDS” become “MUSTS”.”
Part of this is no longer accepting anything less than your best. Your attitude goes from, “that’s good enough” to “I will put in the extra effort to make this right”. Where in your life do you need to raise your standards and stop accepting less than your best? Is it your health? Is it your relationships? Is it your career? What about finances?
If you commit to defining your values and raising your standards things will get better and there will be no need for resolutions because you will always be moving forward in the direction that you want to go in.
