E3 Success Blog » Blog Archive » 4 Ways to Avoid The New Year’s Resolution Death Trap

4 Ways to Avoid The New Year’s Resolution Death Trap

January 8th, 2008 | by Marcus Smith |

It’s that time of year again. The time when all hope springs eternal. That special time when we re-align, reassess, and re-focus our lives (or so we say).

On January 1, 2008 I got trapped in a New Year’s Resolution discussion. As is the tradition on New Year’s Day she let me in on a little secret…she had New Year’s Resolutions! After telling me what things she planned to update, change, or improve in 2008 she then turned the spotlight to me.

“What New Year’s Resolutions are you making this year?” she asked with a smile.

I knew the answer well before she asked me so I decided to build in some suspense. What’s the use of having friends if you can’t have a little fun with them right?

I wrinkled my eyebrows, placed one hand on my chin, and pretended to be in deep thought over this puzzling question. The more I waited the more anxious she become. Torturing her was a little too easy so I stretched the “thought process” out even longer. After 45 seconds of fake thinking I was ready to let her have it.

“I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions” I said. She recoiled as if I were a monster. I’m not a monster, I’m just into jumping into death traps. Not my style .
The New Year’s Resolution is by far the worst trend that I’ve ever observed. Trends like zubaz pants and pet rocks were at least kind enough to die. The New Year’s Resolution does us no such favors. On January 1 18 billion goals are launched into the sky. A mere 2 weeks later 7.99 billion have come crashing down to earth.

Read on to find out how to avoid falling into the New Year’s Resolution Death trap.

1-Don’t Buy Into The Hype

Too much fuss is made about the new year and the new opportunities that it brings (even though nothing much has changed). December 31, 2007 was a Monday and January 1, 2008 is a Tuesday. That’s the only difference. How much times in our lives have we went to sleep on Monday only to wake up on Tuesday oh glorious Tuesday? Is this one really that much different? Did something miraculous happen to you in your sleep last night? It’s doubtful…extremely doubtful.

When it comes down to the nitty gritty it’s just another day.

2-Listen Up

This time of the year has become an interesting time for me. Since I’m seen as a weight loss expert I am constantly barraged with questions about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Before I can begin I have to break down the wall of misinformation in everyone’s heads. I’m shocking people every day by simply telling them to eat less, exercise more, get some H2O flowing in their systems, cut back on the beers , and create realistic expectations. You’d swear I was beating up little children with some of the faces I get.

Some people listen and some people spout off about the newest diet pill on TV. I don’t have the time or the energy to argue about “scientific research” at the sugar pill factory so I’ve learned to let it go. I work with those who will listen and I let the rest do as they please. It’s nearly impossible to convince someone who wants to waste their own time not to do it.
Don’t be bull-headed when you set out those 2008 goals. If you know someone who’s been there and done that. Open your ears and listen. You just might save yourself the trouble of making the same resolution in 2009, 2010, and 2028.

3-Prepare for the Stumbling Blocks

Planning for success is a very tricky thing. Our natural urge is to be as optimistic as humanly possible. Use your rational thinking skills to be both optimistic and realistic.

Preparation for the hard times needs to go into that thinking. Just think for a second:

What happens if the weight doesn’t come tumbling off?
What happens if you don’t land that dream job in 3 months?
What happens if you lose on American Idol?
What happens if you don’t have a Valentine’s Day date on February 13?

These are all very real possibilities. Not everything will line up perfectly and you need to be prepared. Some days you will come outside to perfect temperature, dancing children, and an express way free of traffic. Other days you’ll come outside to sleet storms, kids rolling in the mud, and bumper to bumper to bumper to bumper traffic.

Be prepared for both. Your sanity will thank you.

4-Lay a Foundation and Progress From There

Rome wasn’t built in a day and your new life won’t be either. DO NOT be so caught up with your new goals that you allow yourself to overlook all logic. The largest and most beautiful buildings in history were built one unit at a time. Look at the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, The Great Sphinx of Egypt, and the Roman Colosseum. You think these buildings came together overnight? Of course you don’t.

Avoid being naive and thinking things will change overnight. By and large they won’t. You’ll only damage yourself looking for the quick and easy route to long lasting change. Spend the next few months laying the foundation for the lifestyle you will create for yourself. Let somebody else get their life changed for 3 easy payments of $19.99 (or whatever the rate is these days).
I always say if its worth doing then it’s worth doing right. If you’re not going to do it right then why bother?

Conclusion

You can level-set, re-align, get your act together, rejigger (yes that is a word ), or otherwise improve your life at any point you so choose. It doesn’t have to be and it most likely won’t be on January 1. 1/1 is competing with 364 days. That’s a lot of pressure for Tuesday to handle!

Remember to avoid the hype, open your ears, prepare for the stumbling blocks, and lay a foundation. You’ll be well ahead of 99.99999999% of the New Year’s Resolutions crowd. Oh yeah one more thing. You can use this outline for other goals too .

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/iamstr8fire