What Went Wrong Last Year?

2015 New Year's Resolutions

     It's that time of the year again when we need to chalk up a list of resolutions for the upcoming year 2015.  How did time run so fast?  You are now looking back at the list you made the previous year and are frowning that you only got half of them ticked.  What went wrong?  

    Learn from your mistakes the past year and make better new year's resolutions this new year.  

  You were too ambitious!   Chances are, you might have listed things you wanted to do that are difficult to achieve.  It's not easy to jump from being a meat eater and instantaneously become a vegetarian the next day. That's just unrealistic, so you ended up postponing the day you will become vegan.  Now, a year has passed and you're back to square one.  What should you do then? Take baby steps.  Don't make the same mistakes you did and chop big goals to smaller ones.  Perhaps, if you really want to be vegan, you might think of 2015 as the year when you will start to cut off your meat intake and not totally deprive yourself from having it.  Curbing is for the strong-willed and I'm sorry to say that you're probably not that strong yet which leaves us to another goal --- developing the ability to curb certain desires.  I did try doing this before and what did the trick is for me to keep myself be reminded of the concept of "delayed gratification".  It's not always easy, but I like the feeling of being able to get something because I had to kill someone for it (well, not really "kill", but you know what I mean). 

   You didn't make a wishlist.  Each person has his own issues and unique list of what to change about himself this New Year.   However, it's not enough to imagine them.  If you're serious about materializing all your "mini goals", then jotting them down is definitely the first step.  Writing what you want to happen makes these issues less easy to ignore because by writing, you have acknowledge that a problem is existent and you admit that something has to be done about it.  

    You didn't map a schedule.  There's no use thinking you want to lose 40 pounds, yet you don't have a plan on how to go about it.  That'd be like saying you want to travel to Italy, but without a specific place or date in mind.  It is necessary to make a plan.  How are you going to lose 40 pounds?  Are you going to subject yourself on a stricter diet or go to the gym?  Will there be a "no more pastries" rule or is it following the "after 6" technique?  Know your strategy and have a schedule as to when and how long you will be doing it.  With a set objective and alternative courses of action, goals are better met.  

    You forgot to have fun. Wonder why you feel so unaccomplished and unhappy?  A year back, you were so hopeful and you wanted to do a great many things.  How did you lose the appetite to make them happen?  Realize that it's not always necessary to suffer or sacrifice to attain something.  For example, if losing weight means curbing desires or straining your muscles, then it's no fun and for sure, you'll find yourself having no energy to continue your routine.  Instead, choose something that is fun to do, like playing badminton with friends or enrolling in a vegan class where you'll learn to cook healthier dishes.  If you're thinking of getting exercise, choose swimming instead of the gym. It's a better option because you get to learn how to swim if you don't know it yet.  I believe that anything boring is futile and it's definitely not going to work for anyone.  On another note,  if you feel burnt out and fatigued, you're probably one who often gets tied up with work. Resolve to allot a day off for yourself to rest and spend quality time with family.  If you were to die tomorrow, all hard work would be useless.  So, enjoy life while you can. Go crazy.  Studies also show that people who know how to have fun live longer and look younger.

   You didn't save.  If you're broke now, you didn't save enough.  Do better next year by making savings an expense.  Treating your savings as an expense is an effective way to fatten your bank account.  Every month, allot 30% of your salary, for instance, for bank deposit.  Treat it like it's something you have to do every month, a bill to pay.  Do not miss the deadline or there's a surcharge.  In that way,  at the end of the year, you will be sure that you have saved some money for the rainy days or retirement.  

    You worried a lot.  Want less trips to the doctor's office?  Then be reminded that the top cause of diseases is stress and to combat stress is for you to worry less. Most often than not, there are situations that are hard to handle.  You can't save everything, so don't play hero.  Avoid spreading yourself too thinly and worry less if you can especially when you know that there's nothing you can do about the situation.  Worry does not solve the problem, it aggravates it, so stay calm and play smarter.  Use a dash of optimism once in a while to lessen tension.  

    You didn't make the world a better place.  This is easy, yet many find it difficult to do. Is staying kind, humble and thankful too challenging a task?  Is it possible for you to avoid putting other people down and instead aim to inspire them on a daily basis?  We don't know what they've been through that day or the previous days, so turn the other cheek if possible.  Know that we all have our demons to fight and it helps a lot if you can be a bit kinder to everyone.  Also, make an effort to be honest and to live justly. Don't take advantage of people and help the needy when you are able.  We seem to have made everything a commodity. Remember that there are still things in life that money can't buy, such as  hope, trust, happiness, and as the song goes, "Can't buy  me love". 

  You forgot the basics. Stress comes hand in hand with our complicated lifestyle.  With technology everywhere, it is hard to have a quiet day and enjoy fresh air with nature.  People rarely take a pause to look at the sky or the birds nowadays. Continue to do that and you are guaranteed to have a shorter life span.  Breathe, pause, smile, rest, live.  Do more basic, natural and green things, like growing a garden or taking trips to the beach once a month if you can. You can also try to take the stairs to work than the elevator. Talk to people more and text or call them less.  When among company, put away your phone and get involved.