Screw the New Year: 3 Ways to Undermine Your Resolutions

Hey ladies and gentlemen, Captain Positive is here is help you realize how the New Year may not be all that you were hoping for. Not only do I bring you this wonderful news but I will also share with you, because it is quite important, the 3 things you can do in order to efficiently undermine your New Year's resolutions.

After reading this blog you will know all the ways to properly screw up your plans for the New Year! Exciting, I know. With this knowledge comes great power, because in order to be successful with your resolution(s) you must know what works in addition to whats makes you fall miserably on your face. So the power is yours once you are done reading this. Choose how to use this information wisely.

Maybe your resolution should just be to not undermine your resolution with what you are about to hear... #JustSaying

I present to you the "Reverse RPM" theory of failing to reach your resolution. As most of you know "RPM" stands for "revolutions per minute" and is a relative calculation of speed, so for this presentation the "Reverse RPM" theory will show you how to completely halt any forward progress and speed you are looking to create for attaining your goals.

Reverse RPM Theory

(R) Results

Problem:
Many of us have developed a wonderful tendency to be predominantly results driven. We start a diet and we only look to lose weight (and we better see results fast or on to the next diet found in Self Magazine). The overnight success story of your New Year's resolution is your first screw up for the new year, strike one.

Of the top ten most popular resolutions (Check them out here!) all of them take preparation, planning, and time. We typically undermine our resolutions by looking at them as short-term, outcome-oriented endeavors.

Solution:
A "New Year's Resolution" is exactly that, a year-long resolution and goal. Do you stop going to the gym or eating healthy once you lose those 30 lbs. on June 21st of the new year? Well, you shouldn't but lots of people do. Your resolution is a long-term goal that should be process-oriented, not simply outcome.

Sure you have an outcome in mind, but your journey to get there needs to be clearly planned out, broken down, and assigned start/completion dates. (download "My Mini Goals Worksheet" here)

(P) Preparation

Problem:
How many of you bozos knew that the new year started right as the lovely weekend was getting ready to kick off? Who wants to get healthy and make changes over the weekend when you can start on Monday?! Not many people, including me, so I have some personal stake in this.

Assuming you already created a resolution, we can safely say that you have at least identified that you have problem behaviors that need changing. Don't we all! The first step after realizing this is preparation to make the change. Unfortunately, our hedonistic "pleasure seeking" culture can sometimes force us into the "action stage" before proper planning. The result, 2 weeks of hard work towards your goal and reverting back to old ways (looks like your cigarettes will have their old best friend back).

Solution:
First, do a little detective work to figure out what your actual behaviors are, when they happen, and what triggers them (download "Track My Triggers and Patterns Worksheet" here). Second, really find out why you are looking to make these changes. First write down what positive benefits the change will bring to you (and others), followed by writing down how maintaining the problem behaviors have hurt you (and others).

Next, you must commit. Scream your goal from the biggest damn mountain top you can find (please don't do this). Seriously though, tell friends and family what your intentions are with this resolution. People are more likely to feel accountable if others know what they are trying to do.

(M) Momentum

Problem:
Wait, so since I am going to be "all healthy and stuff" starting in January, that means I can shove my face with booze and food throughout the holidays and think of exercise as the walk to the bathroom.
Maybe I can smoke my face off and start fresh on January 1st. Or, since I will be saving so much money in the new year with my positive changes, I will definitely balance that out by spending tons of money over the holidays.

People start to have trouble hearing you as you get deeper down into that hole of yours. Sounding too familiar, huh? Don't use December as a scape goat for your troublesome behaviors. This only will make things harder with a higher likelihood of failing to progress with your resolution.

Solution:
Start planning after the first week in December. Already into January? No problem! Part of successful goal setting is being flexible and adapting to what's realistically going on around you. Spend 2 weeks planning out your path of success and seek out those that will support you in this (download the "My Support Team Worksheet" here). Most people try to begin their resolution after one of their most problematic months and that is a recipe for disaster! Set a realistic start date that allows you spend a couple week planning out your moves.

Remember: Knowledge is not power, it is only potential power. You have to make the choice in using it. So go on and use that huge brain of yours to properly plan or even screw up the new year.

Have a wonderful journey!