Turning a new leaf; one leaf at a time




 

I didn’t make a resolution this year.  Or last year.  Or the year before that.  In fact I don’t remember the last time I made a new year’s resolution. Each year many of us, in the hope for self transformation make resolutions.  It is an acknowledgement of our awareness for the need of improvement.   It is a step towards the better, as a change for the better not only benefits us; its ripple effect inspires and benefits everyone in our circle.

We’ve all heard the phrase- life is too short. So why do we wait for the new year to take that vow of self transformation; to quit smoking, quit drinking, loose weight, spend more time with family, learn something new, eat healthy, pursue our hobby, help others, reduce stress, be happy?  Why wait to be a better person later? Of course the process of introspection doesn’t begin all of a sudden. One ought to have been conscious of their nagging qualities well before New Year’s Eve. Then why the need to time our resolution with the advent of the New Year?  Is it because we need time to mentally prepare ourselves before we can actually muster the mental strength to make a commitment? Do we harbor a fear of derailment?  Is it easier and more convenient to just be? Is it an acknowledgment that taking a step towards bettering ourselves is a hard task?  Are we buying time?

Maybe so.

Studies have shown that only a small fraction of people who make resolutions actually succeeded. (I don’t want to bore you with numbers and statisticsJ)

For those of you who prefer the notion of steering over veering, daily positive affirmations might be a more practical approach towards self improvement.  Daily mini resolutions can help situate you in a more positive frame of mind each morning.  I myself have seen quicker results and experienced noticeable personal growth.  I’m not the same person I was a year ago, or 6 months ago or even 3 months ago. 

Setting mini goals and taking it one day at a time makes them all the more attainable and hence more effective as it allows one to be more cognizant of one’s self on a daily basis, rather than just on Jan 1.