A New Year … A New You

Tony Guadagnino is a marketing consultant. Located in New Jersey, his clients are based across the country, focusing on social media to build their presence on the internet. He studied creative writing in college and is currently working his first novel on the subject of bullying. He lives with his partner Mark.

That’s what we hear all throughout January of every year. Questions are continually asked:

• What is your New Year’s Resolution?
• What are you going to change in the New Year?
• What are you wishing for in the New Year?

But come February, the questions are magically changed to the following:

• What resolutions have you broken already?
• Did you join that gym you were looking at? Or start that diet?
• How much more money have you saved last month?

We all know what the answers to the second set of questions are, so I do not need to demonstrate them to you.

2020 is the beginning of a brand new decade. It’s the 20th year in the 21st century. (Those of us who remember, Y2K was 20 years ago.) People will make lists, vision boards, and promises on January 1st; the plan, though, is to keep it.

According to studies that I found, most people give up their resolutions before the first month has even finished. Research has shown that the fateful day for NY Resolutions is Jan 12th; that’s the day when everyone’s resolutions begin to waver.

According to a study conducted by the University of Scranton, just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals, while around 80 percent fail to keep them.

When I am asked if I make resolutions, the answer is “Yes,” but with guidelines. I never begin my changes on Jan 1. Doing that is like jumping into a swimming pool of cold water; it’s a shock to your brain. You can’t expect to change because we turned the page of a calendar, and maintain it for the next 366 days. (Yes, 366 — it is LEAP YEAR.)

My Resolutions always begin this way:

• By Feb 1, I will __________.
• By March 1, I will __________ .
• By April 1, I will __________.

That gives me time to mentally prepare for the change, so my body and my mind are ready for the big transformation. That is what works for me.

Doctors and nutritionists recommend that if your goal is to lose weight or improve lifestyle habits, try not to make too many changes at once. Start with small changes and build on them. Set smaller goals and work on reaching them. The most important thing to remember (and I will bold this): Results Won’t Happen Overnight … or Even The First Two Weeks Of The New Year!

If your goal is to get financially stable, eliminate debt, and save more, it is recommended to set up a budget plan: take time to review your bills, figure out a budget of your debits and credits, and plan your financial future. Again, the most important thing to remember: Results Won’t Happen Overnight … or Even The First Two Weeks Of The New Year!

Not processing the thought that “Results Won’t Happen Overnight” is one of the damning reasons that Resolutions fail. Everything takes time, including change. Keep looking ahead of what you will accomplish in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or exactly one year from today!

Before you set your New Year’s Resolutions this year, ask yourself (and write down) these questions :

1. Why do you want to make the change?
2. Is your goal concrete?
3. What is your plan?
4. Who can support you?
5. How will you celebrate your success?

And remember, January 1st is nothing more than a day on the calendar. If you fall off the Resolution Wagon, don’t consider it a failure. Just reset yourself and reset yourself for tomorrow. Go back and reread your answer to Question 1.

KEEP THE TOOLS!
KEEP THE MOTIVATION & DRIVE!!
STAY FOCUSED, EVEN IF YOU SLIP A LITTLE!!!

And next year, you’ll be in the success percentage for Resolutions.

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