Now that you’ve had some time to take in the “New Year, new me” mentality, you may feel more determined than ever to meet your resolution. Or, it may be just the opposite. The strain of creating the new you already has you feeling worn out, and maybe even uncertain of your ability to change yourself. This marks the third article in which we are discussing ways to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution. If you’re feeling successful with your resolution, good for you, but some extra advice can never hurt. If you are feeling like your resolution is insurmountable, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and let me give you a helping hand. 2016 will be your year!
This article will explain the values guide solution and how you can use it to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution. So, firstly, let’s jump in and talk more about what a values guide is. A values guide is a list of your values. Seems simple enough, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. You need to take some time and think deeply about what drives you in life. Why do you get out of bed every day and take on the world? It is important to write your list honestly. You may enjoy a clean house, but it might not be something that you value highly. Remember, these aren’t things you like to do, these are the things that make life worth living. Don’t just make your list in your head. Write it on something tangible, and take it with you, whether it be in your purse, your wallet, or in your pocket. This way you can give yourself reminders as to what it is you value. With list on your person, then the decisions you make can be compared against your values. Ask yourself does this activity stay in line with my core values. You can then continue to do activities that line up with your values, and eliminate activities that are contradictory to your values.
You may be wondering how a values guide can help you keep your resolution. Well, once you have your values guide completed, look at your resolution, and ask yourself if your resolution fits into one of your core values. If it does, you are much more likely to accomplish your resolution. For example, you may have made a resolution to lose weight, and you value your health. That clearly works with that value, and so you can then make your life decisions off of living healthily (eating well, working out, etc.), and in turn, you will lose weight. If it doesn’t, you might want to consider making a different resolution. Your resolution isn’t something you really care about if it doesn’t match up with one of your values. Why spend your time working on being organized, when you would rather spend more time with your family, travel more, or go back to school? You have better ways to improve yourself than trying to work on something that you don’t find important. The path to happiness and fulfillment lies within your values, so a clear list will be a step toward success.