Why is it that so many people find it hard to stick to their New Year resolutions?
One of the biggest factors that weaken a persons resolve to do something new, such as maintain an exercise plan or quit smoking is the language they use to describe how they intend to go about achieving it. The main culprit is the word "TRY".
You see when someone says "I'm going to TRY to get to the gym more often" or "I'm TRYING to stop smoking" they've already given themselves permission to fail. It presupposes that things might get in the way and prevent them from being successful. This makes it feel a lot more acceptable to fall at their first hurdle, because they were kind of expecting it anyway (even if it was unconsciously)
Simply deleting the word TRY from your vocabulary causes you to think about your goals in a different, more empowering way. It has a completely different effect on your neurogly. Notice the difference in how you feel as you read these two statements:
- I am trying to lose weight
- I am achieving my ideal body weight (presupposes continual success)
As Grand Master Yoda once said "There is no try, only do". How true. You are either losing weight or you are not. If you want to exercise, then exercise. You are either committed to stopping smoking or you are not. If you are only TRYING to quit then really you are just registering your interest in what it would be like to be a non-smoker, which would actually take real commitment. You cannot TRY to be committed, in the same way as you cannot be a little bit pregnant.
So, review your resolutions and decide if you only want to try to stick to them or if you'll decide to do whatever it takes to make them a success.
Happy New Year everyone!!
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2 comments:
:D The part with being a little bit pregnant is worth all the money. Great example for making things go "deep inside".
When dealing with some precieved difficult change or challange, I will sometimes use the word try. If I don't I feel like I'm putting too much pressure on myself, that I have to do what I said I will or fail. By saying I will do something there is pressure (to either achieve it or fail), which will sometimes block the normal flow of things vs trying to do something in which it is clear that I'll put my best effort forward, but let go of the results.
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