It’s that time of year again when everyone’s racking their brain trying to come up with a New Year’s resolution they will actually keep.
Of course, there are the usual standbys; to lose weight, stop smoking, spend more time with family, not spend as much money, ect. But this year, I asked Equine Chronicle readers about their horse-related resolutions.
At the top of this year’s list were, to show more, to get back in the saddle and to stay fit and healthy. However, there were a few unique resolutions that are worth a second mention.
- to increase the level of competition at shows
- to build a relationship with their horses
- to enjoy their last year in youth
- to work on growing their horse’s tail
- to connect emotionally and mentally with their horses
- to ride with pride
- to find their center
Now, all of these seem like realistic resolutions that most of us can handle. So, why is it that people have such a hard time keeping them?
I have discovered that the easiest way to ensure you will keep your New Year’s resolution is to start small. Chances are, if you pick the biggest thing about your life that you want to change and make that your resolution, it probably isn’t going to happen. It isn’t as if when the ball drops in Times Square it releases some sort of fairy dust that enables people all around the world the power to magically stick by their decisions.
If you already had the iron will and resolve to change this part of your life, you probably would have done so before January 1rst. Instead of picking the largest issue in your life, and only focusing on the one, the only, ultimate, end all be all, mother of all resolutions, start start out with a small one and work your way up.
As far as I know, there isn’t a rule stating that you can only have one resolution. I have found that people generally have a higher degree of success when they accomplish small victories on their way to a larger goal.
For example, if your resolution is to win a World Championship in a certain event, why not make a few tiny resolutions that will help you on the road toward accomplishing the larger one. So, make it your first goal to improve specific skills related to that event. A second goal could be to work toward placing consistently at local shows. A third could be to improve your ranking on a regional level.
Also, I don’t see why a resolution has to be an all or nothing proposition. If one of your goals is to lose weight, and you start off the first week of the new year by gaining a few pounds, that doesn’t mean you should just throw in the towel and wait until next year rolls around to try again. If you have thought long and hard enough about this goal to make it your New Year’s resolution, then it is probably something you should give a second try.
So, if you feel a little intimidated when the clock strikes midnight tonight, just remember these tips and hopefully you will have a little more success with your resolutions than you did last year.
Happy New Year!
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