New Years Resolutions

[Jason Tandro]

I find the thing an amusing diversion more than an actual improvement plan. And some i hear find these unbearable. I dont get that.

I put New Years Resolutions under the same category as horoscopes and self-help quizzes. Self-promoting silliness which tricks you into thinking you're accomplishing more than you are. But i don't mind them.

My resolution this year is to be married more times than i was last year. Think im good on that, lol.

I also resolve to finish my FF7 novelization, but that may be wishful thinking.

[Freedan]

I generally think resolutions are a foolish idea. If you're that determined to improve something about yourself, do it immediately, don't wait for a calendar change.

That being said, I've recently realized that I should work on improving my driving. I'm not a speed demon or reckless, but I don't always see stuff I should see. So, I'll be more careful and observant.

[Mantaray]

you have to do it instead of just thinking about it, which turns people off. physical work is a no-no.

That's my resolution, actually. Find things to do and do it. So far it's been successful.

[EverPhoenix]

Not really a new year's resolution as such, but I plan on going to the gym a lot more often (that is, actually go)

[SoulBlazerFan]

I'm going to stick with my new years resolution I had last year: come up with a better resolution for next year.

[inferiare]

One of my best friends always starts bugging people in like. July to see if they're still keeping up with resolutions.

As for myself, now that I'm out of the holidays, I'd like to hop on to Wii Fit more, and I'll be doing so once my cold is gone - mainly because I can't breathe most of the time. I'd rather be breathing than trying to because I'm working out whoops.

[Jason Tandro]

I agree with most of the aforementioned points here. It takes work, and effort, and most people would rather plan to do then actually do, myself included. I can't tell you how many times I've started a diet, or workout regimen. And everybody on these boards now how many times I've started a project I didn't see through to the end.

In a perfect world, without the trivialities and distractions of the day-to-day I really feel like more would be accomplished. I'm not just talking if we could all be independently wealthy and not have to have jobs and stuff like that.

I can't tell you how often I come home from work and go "I'm gonna write something tonight" or "I'll get some work done on that game." And instead I watch youtube videos, Mythbusters or just play video games because they are easy and familiar.

Familiarity is comforting and easy. Humans are for some reason drawn to patterns that they recognize. While this force often is used for ill, it can be made to be used for good if we simply replace bad habits with good ones. Instead of going home and watching videos, go home and write a chapter, for instance. Instead of eating at a fast food place, go eat a salad.

They say the first 21 days are the hardest, but after that, you've formed a new habit. I don't know if that's really true or not and I daresay it varies from person to person. But either way, 21 days is a long time to us silly humans, which is why so many of these ideas fall flat.

If you are planning on doing something new or getting into a new habit, lemme share some things with you that I learned in this leadership course about a year ago:

1. State your objective in SMART terms: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Specific.
In other words, don't have a resolution that goes:
I resolve to lose weight this year.
Have a resolution that follows the SMART terms, such as:
I resolve to lose 20 pounds in two months.
That is a specific goal, which is easily measured in both time and objective. It is attainable and realistic and is time-specific.

2. Write your goal down and keep it visibly posted where you and others can see it.

This will constantly remind you of what you are trying to do and help keep you focused. It also plays into the next tip.

3. Make yourself accountable to other people.

The more people you tell about your goal the more likely you are to achieve it, because you know more people will know if you fail.

[psychokind]

Terranigma run 2013! Woohooo!

[tay120n64]

Log in to TerraEarth more often than once a month. Preferably once every day or two.