By Sierwaa Askia
After Christmas, we all become filled to the brim with the “new year, new me” crap. Whether it’s breaking a bad habit, breaking up with bread , or breaking up with a toxic lifestyle, resolutions are often canceled within a month due to unrealistic goals. Here at GG, we offter up the three resolutions most often declared..and why you shouldn’t make them this next new years.
1) Weight loss/more activity at the gym.
This has got to be the most declared resolution. Whether the goal isn’t specific enough (such as ‘getting in shape’), or is too unrealistic to maintain (like dropping 30lbs in one month), losing weight is often a daily struggle.
Instead, try resolving to make healthier eating choices. Small steps such as meal planning over the weekend, the substitution of one caffeine drink a day with water, or instituting “Veggie Meal Fridays” are just a few fun ways to make eating healthy an adventure for yourself/your family. After all, there are tons of hidden calorie bombs in premade foods, and cooking your meals almost guarantees a drop in weight and the ever coveted jean size.
2) Breaking a Bad Habit.
First off, the breaking of bad habits should never be left up to a flimsy New Years resolution. Yet often enough, people vow to either stop drinking, smoking, or the cessation of other toxic habits solely in an effort to start the new year off right. In reality, the breaking of such habits require more than the want to get clean and start anew.
Instead, try evaluating why this habit has grown to begin with and take small yet steady steps that are guaranteed to motivate you onward in your journey to eventually break that habit. Instead of getting upset at slip ups, admit that you’re human and keep heading towards your goal of a cleaner lifestyle.
3) Starting A Business/Asking for Raises.
Starting a business takes moxie. True, unending moxie. You need tenacity, determination, perseverance, and a damn good idea. Thus, making this a new years resolution all but dooms this to fail. The same deal applies to asking for a raise. While it may seem like your hard work is being passed over for promotion, that may not always be the case.
Instead of asking for a raise, ask for a job performance evaluation. This will allow you to know where you stand out & what needs improvement. An evaluation also provides a clear pathway to future opportunities. Once it becomes evident that your work ethic and productivity cannot be replaced, you can begin the process of asking for a raise in pay. Please keep in mind that there may be a corporate reason as to why you haven’t received a raise. If this reason can’t be solved, then it may be time to consider taking your valuable skills elsewhere.
All in all, the new year often represents a fresh new start so try making smaller strides toward realistic goals and you will reap the benefits of your hard work in no time flat.