It’s a new year! Let’s talk about making New Year’s resolutions…or not making them! For many, the New Year is synonymous with making lists of areas of dissatisfaction and goals – often not realistic – that will help them achieve an illusory happiness. When you think about it, that doesn’t sound very inspiring. Let’s do things differently this year.

For resolutions to work, we have to change our behaviours – and to change a behaviour, you have to change your thinking (or “rewire your brain”).  Brain scientists like Antonio Damasio and Joseph LeDoux have discovered that habitual behaviour is created by thinking patterns that create new neural pathways and memories, which become the default basis for your behaviour when you’re faced with a choice or decision. Trying to change that default thinking by “trying not to do it,” in effect just strengthens it. Change requires creating new neural pathways from new thinking.

If you are unsatisfied with any aspect of your life, try this.

Write out the aspect(s) of your life with which you are not satisfied. Then draw a line through each statement and write the positive version.

For example:
Negative: I want to lose weight.
New positive affirmation: I am happy and grateful to be taking consistent and daily actions toward achieving my healthy weight.

Now write out all your new, positive statements and read them every morning and evening or as often as you like. Doing this will help you focus your thinking on new behaviours and thought patterns to create new neural pathways in your brain to change habits.

Take small, consistent steps every day. Celebrate your success. Find a buddy to help keep you on track. Live more in the present moment and finally, don’t take yourself so seriously. Have fun and laugh at yourself when you slip, then move on. Embrace the changes.

Have a great, NEW, year!

By the same authors: Enjoy healthy and happy Holidays! (Click the image below)