So it’s that time of the year again. Exciting, isn’t it? The passing of one year into the next offers a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection and re-assessment. New year allows us to neatly frame our achievements and January 1st makes a great time to create new aims, new goals – a fresh outlook.
Well, that’s the idea, anyway.
Studies show that keeping to resolutions is remarkably tricky. A 2020 YouGov poll explored this with some interesting results. Nearly a quarter of those making resolutions failed to keep any of their promises, with many more cherry picking the easy ones and discarding the harder. Unsurprisingly health and fitness were top of the list with most looking to lose weight, join a gym or simply improve their diet.
If you’re anything like me then self-discipline plays a major role and without the helping hand of a live-in dietician or the intimidating shout from a deeply troubled personal trainer it’s way too easy to decide to rearrange my sock drawer than bother with the gym. And what’s wrong with a fry-up anyway? What even is muesli?
“Last year’s resolution was to lose 20 pounds by Christmas. Only 30 pounds to go.” Anonymous
This is why last year I resolved to use the WoWW Business’ planner (wowwplanner.com) to help me focus on my wellbeing on a daily basis. It not only provides daily reminders but allows me to customise my own plan. It’s designed around The 5 ways to Wellbeing and every day it nudges me to:
1. Connect more with those around me
2. Be more physically active
3. Take notice of the world around me
4. Keep learning and experiencing new things
5. Give more of my time and energy to others
I’ve found it life changing. It’s a gentle but laser-focussed way to get that kick in the butt we all need from time to time. And the daily message at the start and end of each day is a non-intrusive reminder to micro-assess what I’m up to and take a moment to check in with myself.
I absolutely know I’m more inclined (none of us are perfect) to, for instance, drink more water, to send that text to an old friend or to simply sit still for 5 minutes and think. These may seem like little changes but that’s the point, it really doesn’t take much and over a year the changes made can be utterly life-enhancing. Deciding to use the planner was born from an ambition to just feel better, to try something new, to improve.
Writing this piece has given me a chance to reflect - has it really made any difference? Well the answer is a resounding “yes” and according to those around me I’m calmer, more controlled and less inclined to anxiety and stress.
That’s got to be a good thing, right?
So, this year I’ve resolved to avoid making ANY New Year resolutions, I don’t feel I need them. There’ll be no talk of a ‘New Me’ this year because using my WoWW planner alongside living and breathing The 5 Ways to Wellbeing, I’m pretty happy with the ‘Me’ I am. I may well be a work in progress, but that’s ok. After all, as someone more intelligent than me once wrote… ‘Every year you make a resolution to change yourself. This year, make a resolution to be yourself’.
Happy new year!
