The New Year has dawned, the partying is over, and we’re settling down to another year of life’s business. As is nearly tradition, you have probably made some resolutions you wish to see fructify in the coming months, some more detailed and seriously considered than others.
It’s been interesting to observe the approach to the resolution-setting process and everyone’s interpretation of the word ‘resolution’. Equally interestingly, our probability and extent of success or failure at setting and achieving resolutions is intricately linked to these two.
Interpreting ‘resolution’
Many people I conversed with thought of a resolution as a ‘new’ goal/target to be achieved, something they want to add to their existing lives. A few targeted big changes: an experience, acquisition, or skill. This is equally true for health goals.
Instant and constant exposure to everything, and melting geographical boundaries have certainly stoked imaginations and aspirations. Nothing seems out of reach, irrelevant or audacious any more. The if-you-can-think-it-you-can-do-it frenzy is at its zenith. Sure, aiming high is good. It provides impetus to push boundaries beyond our comfort zones, and we must.
Coming to the next question, what’s the strategy to succeed at implementing these new changes? I heard some ambitious plans and some not-so-sure versions. More importantly, is it the first time they have set these resolutions? If not, why do they think they fell off the wagon attaining them on previous attempts? There weren’t as clear-cut answers as should be.
While the reasons are varied, a predominant one is the tendency, over time, to associate resolutions and their pursuits with an onerous process, with them often being perceived as disruptive of ‘normal’ life. This makes them difficult to service and sustain. After the initial euphoria, when the execution begins to place growing demands on time, perseverance, and attention to detail, it seems easier to let them go, than continue. Setting and breaking resolutions becomes an unfortunate pattern.
Could we treat ourselves better?
What if we don’t approach resolutions as just add-ons? What if we also consider personal growth (including health) as doing more of what’s already working for us and stop doing things that don’t serve us or seem to push us into a state of perpetual stress due to our self-induced overzealousness and overload of goals, both in terms of numbers and magnitude? What if we act smarter and treat ourselves better by examining intent and accepting that resolutions could also include changing current behaviour or improving existing practices? This could help us adopt and nurture resolutions for lasting effect.
Do resolutions help serve us?
Resolutions can serve as valuable tools to help us grow mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. They could act as friends that help us start afresh, renew, and evolve at multiple planes. If we compose and treat them as long-term personal allies rather than superimpositions, we will be working more effectively from a place of hope, control, focus and a sense of ownership and promise. This may generate greater fulfilment and easier adherence, keeping us progressively moving forward versus wasting time, energy, and enthusiasm, jumping on and off in bursts.
Growth is a process. It’s not a trend, event or ad hoc occurrence. Every change we aspire to, should contribute as much to the journey as to the final achievement of it. The resolutions we make and follow determine the road map required to achieve them and the trajectory of our lives. Our mindset dictates both their form and lifespan. So it’s important to be in tune with yourself — ability, strengths, weaknesses and reasons — and set sensible, practical and progressive resolutions with timelines that work. Approach them with honesty to enable them to help us evolve to our better version. We all have the power to do this within us.
Vani B Pahwa is an ACE-certified Personal Trainer, a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, a Master Rehab Trainer, a Functional Movement, Barefoot Training Specialist, BarefootRX Rehab Specialist, Foot & Gait Analyst, and a BOSU Personal Trainer. She is also a Mohiniyattam dancer.
