The Blogfathers

We are once again getting ready for a new year. It’s a chance to start fresh with a whole new outlook on life and the opportunity to get rid of all those nasty habits. At least that’s what many people hope for. Reality is often very different. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I don’t know a single person who has kept their New Year’s Resolution for more than a couple of months. But I have a solution that might possibly help you succeed this time around. You will still need discipline and determination but chances are you will stick with your promises a littler longer in 2007.

Everyone has different resolutions but there are a few classics. It seems like they are the hottest thing to talk about in January, but in February it’s all forgotten and the bad habits are back:

— Weight Loss. Most people who have a family and a couple of kids carry 40 lbs. or more they want to get rid of. Well actually, many single people without kids do as well. People are becoming more obese but can’t kick the habit of eating horrible food.

— Stop Smoking. How anyone can voluntarily smoke today is beyond me but the all smokers say the habit is very difficult to break. Are they right?

— Start Exercising. I have lots of first hand experience with this since I spend much time in the gym. I’m always surprised by the surge in January members. You know who I mean. Those who workout two hours a day and eat nothing but salad. Usually lasts about tre weeks and then the gym is back to normal again

I’m kind of making fun of these people who try to change their lives but often fail. I shouldn’t. They actually deserve an applause. These people have often dug deep inside themselves and are willing to confront a major weakness in their lives. Problem is usually that they try to change their lives 180 degrees from one day to another. That’s very tough mentally and why most people fail or never even try. They can’t stand the thought of sticking with this change for years into the future. One great mental approach is to read what Steve Pavlina has to say about breaking bad habits. His site is full of useful personal development tools and I especially like his article about “30 Days To Success“.

His approach is very simple. Instead of thinking of quitting smoking for life or work out 5 days a week for the next 30 years, think small. Start out by only doing it for a month and see how it feels. The mental barrier doesn’t only stop many people from succeeding with their goals, it also stops them from trying since the goal seems impossible to reach.

But what if you thought about making the change only temporarily — say for 30 days — and then you’re free to go back to your old habits? That doesn’t seem so hard anymore. Exercise daily for just 30 days, then quit. Maintain a neatly organized desk for 30 days, then slack off. Read for an hour a day for 30 days, then go back to watching TV.

Could you do it? It still requires a bit of discipline and commitment, but not nearly so much as making a permanent change.

Making a change for one month is doable for most people. And if you complete the 30 days you’re likely to already have built a decent base and some good habits. Perhaps your confidence is already a little better since you’ve completed your first month without really thinking much about it. It’s a great way of creatively using the mind to accomplish something.

If you’ve previously tried to break some bad habits around this time of the year but failed, perhaps Steve’s approach is worth a try? Start fresh and give it a go for a month and see what happens. Most people are amazed of how relaxed they feel since the goal is within reach. Our mind can be very powerful so why not use it to our advantage?

Best of luck with your promises for the new year!

Habits, Parenting Challenges