New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year, Sisters! Welcome back after our extended winter break. I hope you all had a very relaxing break and enjoyed all the snow :) As we look toward 2009, many people take this time to reflect on the previous year and think about any changes they want or need to make. Today our Sisterhood discussion was about New Year's Resolutions. We asked the Sisters if make a New Year's Resolution. If you did make one, what are some things that you think will help you be successful in keeping your new year's goal? Many of our Sisters shared their New Year's Resolutions. Here are just a few of our Sisters' responses:

This year I resolve to:
-not drink soda
-excercise, become physically fit
-eat healthy
-block out what other people think
-work on my temper
-make 3rd chair in Band
-take a deep breathe when I feel stressed or overwhelmed
-work to improve my handwriting
-not eat meat
-work on my relationship with God
-work harder in Math
-keep in touch with my out of state friends


For those of you who didn't make New Year's Resolutions, it's not too late! It can be something small or simple, like smiling or laughing more often. Think about it and if you want, feel free to leave a comment on the blog... "This year I'm going to... "

I did a simple Google search on New Year's Resolutions and found out what the most common New Year's Resolutions are:

10.Get orgnaized
9. Help others
8. Learn somehting new
7. Get out of debt
6. Quit drinking
5. Enjoy life more
4. Quit smoking
3. Tame the bulge (lose weight)
2. Fit in Fitness
1. Spend more time with family and friends

Some other resolutions related specifically to teens are: eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting the amount of soda, being more physically active, limiting time spent on video games, getting rid of negative self-talk, getting more sleep, finding constuctive ways to deal with stress, and resisting peer pressure.

Making a resolution is only the first part. We all know that many people tend to make resolutions, but then have a difficult time keeping their goals. So what works for you to help you keep your goal?

A couple Sisters made the comment that having some sort of visual reminder of your goal was helpful to them. In order to remember to work on her handwriting goal, one B lunch Sister said she made a point to leave a piece of paper and a pencil on her computer as a reminder to work on her goal instead of typing her work. Another B lunch Sister said she made a note on her calendar as a reminder of her goal to be better at connecting with her out of state friends. One of our creative B lunch Sisters even went as far as to paint a mural of her New Year's Resolution on her bedroom wall. Every time she walks into her room she has a visual reminder of her goal.

Everyone admitted that change is hard. Often we make these resoluations then get distracted, forget them, or have a flood of excuses on why we don't follow through with them. One Sister said she was more likely to keep her goal if it was broken down into smaller attainable goals. Many Sisters agreed it was important to tell someone your resolution. The more people that know your resolutions, the more people you have to encourage you and remind you to keep working on your goal. A wise A lunch Sister made the comment, "whatever you do, starting doing something NOW!" Procrastination can be our worst enemy on getting started at making a change. I think this is so true.

Here's just a few tips that will help you be committed and follow through with your New Year's Resolution.

1. Write your resolution down or tell a friend who can keep your accountable.

2. Start right away! You are more likely to follow through with your goal if you take action immediately. Once you start to make the change, you will most likely see some results and be more motivated to continue.

3. Create a plan, something specific that you can do or change. You are more likely to follow thorugh if you have a clear plan.

4. Have a system of rewards in place and give yourself some credit to sticking with your goal.

5. Be flexible. Change is hard! Make sure your your goals are realistic and attainable.

Remember, life is a journey. We are all in the process of lots of change. Take some time to reflect on where you are in your journey and where you want to go. This is your chance to take steps toward something new in 2009. Be excited and open to the all the new experiences that this new year will bring. Go for it, Sister!