By Adrienne Dobson, Client Services

If you’re anything like the average American, then your New Year’s resolutions are already a distant memory, even though February hasn’t even arrived yet.  We all know the drill.  You spend the final days of 2013 evaluating your current life situation and deciding that you will completely transform every bit of it.  New Year’s Day arrives, along with a bright shiny new year, full of possibilities.

This year I will WORK OUT AND GET HEALTHY!

This year I will GET ORGANIZED!

This year I will WRITE MY NOVEL!

This year I will LEARN TO PLAY THE GUITAR/DRUMS/TROMBONE/UKELELE/TRIANGLE (for those less ambitious).

 THIS YEAR I WILL CONQUER THE WORLD!!!

So how’s that been working out for you?  For most people, those gym shoes were abandoned after about 3 weeks, the office is still cluttered with stacks of paper yet to be filed, the novel has been shelved, and the musical instrument has been shoved to the back of the closet to wait another year.  And why?  Possibly because everyday life gets in the way, maybe we get discouraged and give up, or maybe we have an endless list of other excuses.

So the question is… what do you do now?  The first step is to take a breath, relax, and remember is that it is OKAY to have a setback!   Even a small step back is all part of the process.  The only real failure is giving up completely.  Step two, evaluate your resolutions and make sure you are setting realistic goals for yourself.  Don’t set yourself up for failure!  Third, remember to celebrate even minor goals and milestones, and try not to be too hard on yourself when perfection is out of reach.

Finally, try to focus NOT on the resolution or end goal, but instead focus on changing your habits or behavior that will get you there in the end.  You don’t have to lose 20 pounds in a month, but you can change one or two things about your daily routine that will get you there eventually.  You don’t have to clean and organize your entire house this weekend, but try clearing and cleaning one room at a time every couple of days.  Here are a few more tips, just to get you off to a good start.

 

Get up and be active!

Dog and Pingpong ball

Be sure to get plenty of rest.

Dog at rest

 

Make new friends

two dogs

Don’t focus on getting older – enjoy the time you have!

birthday dog

And don’t forget that it is ok to get a little crazy sometimes!

funny dog