Beware of unresolved resolutions

As we take the plunge into a New Year, it requires a retrospective look at our failings and our desire to make a resolution to do better. The fact that we must review our actions for the past year assumes we have flaws, we’ve made mistakes, and we’re not perfect. Therefore, we must make resolutions to improve our destiny.

The most popular weaknesses and personality imperfections indicate a need to lose weight, exercise more to get fit, get organized, save money, spend more time with family and friends and learn a new skill or hobby.

When making a resolution you are not under the pressure of every-day stressors. Replete with food and wine, surrounded by friends and song, you feel you can conquer any difficulty or bad habit. Under the influence of a euphoric condition caused by champagne, we often underestimate the cravings and desires that have caused us to make these resolutions in the first place.

Even though we are sincere when we make our resolutions, we seldom keep them for more than a month or two before we return to our bad behaviors and habits. This is a big problem. You see, all those resolutions that you didn’t keep are still lingering out there in the nether-world just waiting to swoop down to exact revenge when you least expect them.

Temptation is the cause of failure and temptation is everywhere. Are you tempted by that box of donuts? Maybe you can’t resist buying those really cute shoes. Have you become addicted to instant gratification? When temptation threatens, close your eyes, click your heels together three times and say “away wicked witch with your flying monkeys of temptation.”

Go ahead and make that New Year’s resolution. It’s not a waste of time. Just make sure it is achievable. Set a goal for yourself. People who set goals are more likely to achieve success. One way to help you keep your resolution is to commit it to your calendar to encourage you to act. If you put it on a wall calendar, you can see it every day. Your computer calendar will send you little reminders. If your desire is to be more fit and healthy, write “Yoga class on Saturday” and plan to go with friends. You are more likely to be motivated to attend the class.

Want to be more organized but suffer from computer clutter? Write down a day and time, say 11:30 a.m. (just before lunch) to delete old emails and you will create a good habit. If you want to get your home better organized, write “clean hall closet” on your calendar each week — until you actually do it.

Get help from your friends and family by posting your resolution on social media. Tell your friends that you want to eat healthier, for instance, and your best friend will gladly eat all your French fries at lunch to help you achieve your goal.

Don’t get infected with the virus of unresolved resolutions. It is capable of mutating into deviant little justifications that keep you from reaching your goals – and there is no vaccine. It takes stamina and determination. If you failed to keep your resolution from last year, don’t get discouraged. Another year is peeking over the horizon. There is still time to make a resolution and restore balance to your universe. It’s not too late!

Meanwhile, I hope you didn’t forget the midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve. Even if you don’t keep your resolution, you will be guaranteed to have a year of luck in love.