Experts weigh in on sticking to New Year’s resolutions
With a new calendar year now upon us, many people are already working towards their New Year’s resolutions.
“I think people want to move forward in life,” said Sudbury-area life coach Darlene Tindall.
“You know, at the end of the year they’re reflecting and looking at what worked and what didn’t work and they want to make changes, they want a better life, they want to enjoy themselves, they want better relationships, they want to move forward in their careers.”
However, even with good intensions, experts say it’s hard for many people to stick with their original goal for 365 days.
“I think that they don’t set realistic goals and they don’t have an actionable plan to execute them,” said Anna Rhymer the owner of Anna Bee Fit.
“So I think we need to take some massive actionable steps in order to keep them like daily affirmations, vision boards, doing something about it aside from just saying it.”
Tindall says that in order to be more successful, those eager to change should shift their attitude. She says people should focus on the positive reasons for doing something instead of judging themselves for why the resolution is needed.
“It’s coming from a different place,” she explains.
“It’s not coming from ‘I want to look better,’ it’s coming from ‘I want to feel better.’ And if you decide that you want to put your phone down and read more books or talk to your family members and really connect, it’s not coming from a place of ‘I don’t read enough books’ or ‘I’m on my phone too much,’ it’s not coming from a place of judgement.. It’s coming from a place of ‘I want to connect, I want to use my mind in a different way, I want to use my energy in a different way.’”
According to a survey by Ipsos, 48 per cent of Canadians think they will make a New Year’s resolution about their physical health.
This is something that Rhymer says she’s been seeing for years and even with the pandemic, she says the interest has stayed the same.
“Health and wellness is everything, absolutely. So I think that is something everybody wants to strive to be better at. So without that we have nothing,” said Rhymer.
As far as advice goes, Rhymer says it’s all about planning.
“Just make solid resolutions and figure out a strategic plan for the short, medium, and long term to make sure that you can go through with your resolutions.”
Experts agree that people put a lot of pressure on themselves during the beginning of the year when it comes to resolutions. Adding that being flexible in your goals and willing to reassess might make them more obtainable.
Tindall says just remember why you started.
“Get a picture of yourself that you really, really love, and maybe it’s a current picture or maybe it’s from childhood or when you were a young adult, and keep that handy and remind yourself that this is who you’re doing this for because you love you,” she says.
“You want you to have a great life.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police arrest 3 in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
Who is Hope Hicks, longtime Trump aide who is testifying in N.Y. hush money case?
Hope Hicks, once a longtime trusted aide in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is testifying Friday in the New York hush money trial after being subpoenaed.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto incident caught on video
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.