How to Make A Legit Resolution... and Actually Keep It.

I'm baaaaaack! 

I intended to blog occasionally while we were vacationing in my little hometown but for some unexplainable reason my parent's internet has literally been non-existent until today. Out of nowhere, this morning it just came on (Although still at a speed that rivals molasses in February) and so I'm joyfully bringing you a little insight on how to make a real-life, legitimate New Year's resolution... that you might actually keep!! (Don't worry, I'll give you all the details on our last FIVE Christmases later next week! We have to get the New Year brought in appropriately right now.)

One of my favorite New Year's Eves... 2008
Hot tub party with my cousins - Callie, Haley and Maggie

I may not know much, but I definitely know how to make a decent New Year's resolution. I know that resolutions are typically taken lightly, but I consider them a promise to myself. I have no intention of making a serious statement and then going back on my word in less than a month... Surely you don't either. So, I'm going to give you the basic breakdown on how to make a REAL New Year's resolution, one that you can follow through with. (I'll list my dad's  resolution for 2011 as an example!)

Step 1: Think of what you'd like to change, improve, or do differently. 

Don't get carried away - you've got much better chances of following through with one or two resolutions than if you make ten and wear yourself out before you even start. Dad wanted to eat healthier... Good start but wayyy too broad to actually accomplish.

Step 2: Narrow down your subject to a few more specific options.

Identify different ways you can accomplish your goal. He could start exercising. He could eat healthier... Lots of options to choose from here!

Step 3: THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP! 

Choose something that you can easily measure.

This step is crucial to actually accomplishing your goal and keeping your resolution. If you just say "eat healthier" does that mean you accomplished your goal if you stop after the first bag of M&M's or is your goal only met after 10 months of no candy at all? Dad debated a few options - slowing down his  barbeque intake, "stopping after the salad" like he always says he wishes he would have done, or cutting back on salt. Since he salted EVERYTHING and there was no reasonable chance of him laying off the barbeque, he decided that his 2011 New Year's Resolution would be that he wouldn't pick up a salt shaker for the entire year. Period. To my dad's credit, he has not added salt to anything since December 31, 2010!! Now, my mom didn't stop using salt in her recipes so he did get some salt intake, but he definitely made a huge improvement and cut back significantly!! 


So, there you go - three easy steps! Give it a try, I know you can do it!!


Here are my 2012 New Year's Resolutions... I'm sharing them so you can help hold me accountable (that should have been Step 4, pencil it in). 

Raegan's Resolutions for 2012

(1) Work out at least three times a week

(I know, I know - you should work out at least 4 times a week... but three seems much more feasible and if I get 4, good for me!)

(2) Cut out pop 

(I quit for about 6 years and this year decided I was thirsty for something other than water... Now, I'm trying to climb back up on the wagon!)

(3) Keep a daily prayer journal [at least M-F]

(This doesn't mean I won't pray on the weekends, I just am not required to write it all down... Keeping a prayer journal is AWESOME! Try it!)

(4) One random act of kindness each week*

(*This is a resolution Brandon and I are sharing... doesn't matter who actually does the act of kindness as long as one of us knocks it out each week)

I promise to be honest and 'fess up when I break one... So, now it's your turn!! I would LOVE to hear your resolutions! Please share them!! I promise, you'll be much more diligent about keeping them if you're worrying somebody will ask you how it's going! 

Hoping you have a very wonderful New Year!! And please be careful as you celebrate!

Be Blessed!

Raegan