Seven Stars Martial Arts

The New Year can be a time to reflect on the previous year, to express gratitude for the many things that have happened, and a time to set resolutions, or goals, for the year ahead.

In 2005 approximately 45% of American adults made one or more resolutions; down from the 88% of Americans who did so in 2001.

Of those that do make resolutions:

34% will set a New Year's Resolution related to their wallet

i.e. a financial goal

38% will set a New Year's Resolution related to their waistline

i.e. a weight or fitness goal

47% will set a New Year's Resolution related to their head

i.e. a self-improvement type goal

31% will set a New Year's Resolution related to their heart

i.e. a relationship or dating goal

Of those people that do make resolutions:

75% quit in the first week

of those remaining another 71% quit after 2 weeks

of those remaining another 64% quit one month

of those remaining another 46% quit after 6 months

leaving 8% to achieve their goals

According to a study, only 8% of Americans say they achieve their New Year’s resolutions. The way it seems to work now, setting a New Year’s Resolution is a recipe for defeat for the majority who try.

It has come to be one of the nation’s most masochistic traditions.

While a lot of people who make new years resolutions do break them, research shows that making resolutions is useful.

People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't make resolutions. In order to achieve a goal, it needs to be set - it can give people the drive to set about that goal.

So this year I would like to give you a different take on resolutions; rather than try to change something - try to experience new things.

Using the download below; create for yourself a list of experiences that you may have considered, things you have wondered about, and lessons you would like to learn; but have never tried - and set a goal to try them this coming year.

The sheet has a list of verbs to get you started; take some time to fill each line in, maybe you have more than one for a verb, maybe you have some extra’s to add on - whatever you feel is right for you.

There is no need to complete the entire sheet, there is no reason to restrict yourself to just one sheet - do whatever you feel is right for you.

Cut out the page and post it somewhere prominent, perhaps on the refrigerator door, and as you work your way through your list cross off those you accomplish.

The accomplishment of a goal is the reward in and of itself, not something that you need to be rewarded for; you may choose to take the time to celebrate achieving a goal and bask in the knowledge that you have achieved something that maybe you thought you would never do.

The article ‘Tips to help your resolution succeed’ in our magazine will give you some tips to help you on this journey of discovery.

Remember that this year is about exploration and wonder, and it is OK not to complete your list. It is OK to do just what you feel like doing, and about what you want to accomplish.