I can hear the collective groan already.
Yep, New Year’s resolutions have a bad rap. I wonder if it’s because we can all relate to a time when we pledged to “diet” or “volunteer more” and didn’t follow through. Still, it’s not our fault we have high standards for ourselves. We should believe in our potential for personal transformation no matter how big or small.
The trouble with some resolutions is not necessarily the resolution itself, but the lack of an approach to support it. I have found with the resolutions I managed to keep, the recipe for success is that they need to progressively evolve. Like a checklist of manageable steps that I can tick off as I work towards my overall goal.
One of my successful resolutions was to change the way I get to and from work. When I first moved to Toronto, I commuted by subway, which took me 30 minutes each way. Not bad, right? But the subway experience started to wear on me. Spending an hour a day underground in a crowded car began to negatively affect my mood. I wanted to be outside breathing open air and experiencing the sights and sounds of the city.
So I pledged to bike or walk to work every day, and there were a few things I did to support this:
- I moved to a neighbourhood that was not directly on the subway line.
- I gradually increased my physical activity (activity breeds more activity).
- I bought a much better bike (the proper equipment makes you excited to use it).
- I bought inexpensive winter clothing (to keep me warm for longer periods outdoors).
After successfully incorporating these four things into my routine, it was easy to change my commuting ways. And I haven’t looked back since!
Tip: Tell someone about what you plan to do. A trusted friend can help by offering support and encouragement.
