New Year's resolutions are a tradition that many partake of each and every year. People throughout the globe take stock of the successes and failures of the previous 365 days and set new goals for themselves based upon the future they hope unfolds. These goals can be wide ranging, lofty, or elementary based upon the individual making them. Some choose to set their sights on achieving earth shattering accomplishments while others find it easier to reach for more attainable ambitions.
According to varying outlets and reports here are some of the top New Year's resolutions for the upcoming year:
1. Lose weight
2. Stay in touch with friends and family
3. Quit Smoking
4. Save more money
5. Reduce Stress
6. Volunteer/Give more
7. Go back to School
8. Reduce alcohol consumption
9. Get more sleep
10. Travel
11. Be more organized
12. Fall in love
Some other New Year's resolution statistics that are fun to look at are the amount of individuals who say they participate in this annual ritual:
45% of individuals say they make New Year's resolutions
38% of individuals say they Do Not make New Year's resolutions
8% of individuals say they were successful in achieving their New Year's resolutions
39% of individuals in their 20's claim to have achieved New Year's resolutions
14% of individuals over 50 claim to have achieved New Year's resolutions
64% of individuals claim to still be working towards their New Year's resolutions after 1 month of making them. This number drops to 46% after 6 months.
The types of New Year's resolutions that individuals make should come as no shock to anyone either:
47% of New Year's resolutions are self-improvement related
38% of New Year's resolutions are weight related
34% of New Year's resolutions are money related
31% of New Year's resolutions are relationship related
So what do all these resolutions say about us? What's so special about a clock striking midnight instantly thrusting us in to a brand new calendar year that is nothing but a blank slate waiting to be filled? More importantly why couldn't we achieve these successes previously? What was holding us back from arriving at a desired destination in which we were previously determined to land?
Sadly, the biggest obstacle in triumphantly completing a goal is ourselves. We can be our own worst enemies. We give in and succumb to distractions. We tire quickly and find that we are too weary to finish the race we set out to run. Often times we allow negativity to create stumbling blocks along our path that eventually turn in to unconquerable walls when enough of them build up.
Well, I'm here to tell you that there is one sure fire, foolproof, reliable, and dependable New Year's resolution that can be made to ensure we achieve any goal that we choose to make for ourselves:
Let Go!
What's been holding you back from successfully losing weight? Is it a negative self-body image? Is it disbelief in your ability to change a lifetime of unhealthy habits? Are there skeletons buried in your closet that have been preying on your insecurities? Let it all go!
Is your resolution to get more sleep or reduce your stress? Why aren't you resting and why are you so anxiety ridden? Do you worry about aspects of your life you can't control? Are you burdened with past mistakes? Do you fret the unknown? Let it go!
Are you one of the millions of people that are making a commitment to finding your true love this year? What's been holding you back? Are you afraid of putting yourself out there for fear of rejection? Do you struggle with low-self esteem and don't think of yourself as a worthy life-long companion for someone else? Let go!
Whatever your New Year's resolutions may be there is only one thing standing in the way of your accomplishments; You. We all come from different backgrounds and have contrasting views on how to go about reaching our maximum potential regardless of what it is we're chasing after. However, most often what keeps us from turning that "to-do" list in to a "done" list is the baggage we're carrying with us.
That baggage can be past failures, fear of future failures, pessimistic individuals in our lives constantly reminding us of why we won't succeed, or disbelief in our own abilities. If you want to accomplish any goal from now until forevermore, there's only one New Year's resolution you ever need to make; Let go! By letting go of the anchors holding you back, you will be free to sail as far as the wind will take you. You can soar as high as you desire if you're not tied down by the burden's you've been carrying.
Before you sit down with pad and pencil to write out your annual list of wishes and wants for the next year that lie ahead, first make a New Year's resolution to Let Go. If you can clear that first crucial, mental hurdle then there won't be a foothold strong enough to hold you back.
Comments(20)