Okay, for those of us who are still doing the New Year’s Resolution thing, no matter how secretly or informally, listen up. Some might call you dreamers, but I raise my glass to those who dare to persist in the face of past adversity and failure. This year, I hope to equip you with the right advice to maintain your goals – yogic or otherwise. Consider it a pep talk from someone in your corner. They may be things you’ve heard before, but they’re crucial keys to realizing a better you and therefore bear repeating:
1. Set modest goals
Keep your goals realistic and you stand a way better chance of making them happen. If you rarely practice yoga at home, you’re probably setting yourself up for failure to commit to a daily practice.
Instead, consider committing to 1 or 2 days a week. It can be that vague – go easy on yourself and give yourself lots of room for error. If you end up doing both days in the week, you’re a super star. If you only make the one, you’re still on target.
Once you’re steadily keeping your resolution, you can slowly up the ante. Slow and steady wins the race.
2. Get back up!
One of the most popular reasons people go astray is because once they falter, they give up. I’ve seen this pattern happen over and over again, no matter what the goal – smoking, yoga, diets – it’s all the same.
Setbacks are bound to come. If your resolutions mean something to you, don’t let them sink you.
I’ve heard it said that the secret to success is simple: all you have to do is get up one more time than you were knocked down. Think about that the next time the trials of life seem to stand in your way!
3. Enlist your friends
You may have different resolutions, but you can still make a pact to help each other stay true.
But choose wisely. If you pick someone who you know isn’t likely to seriously commit to their resolutions then you’re giving yourself an out: the moment they call it quits, the heat’s off you.
You probably know at least one person who seems to have a will of steel. If you’re serious about change, match your will with that friend. You’ll be profoundly challenged and will be far more likely to making a lasting change in your life.
What are your resolutions and how do you plan on keeping them?
Happy New Year- now go get ‘em!
Che Nolan is a propologist with a major in bolsterology and an Iyengar yoga practitioner with a daily meditation practice. He’s also a writer and a regular b, halfmoon contributor.
