Why Can’t I Keep My New Year’s Resolutions?

I don’t have a good track record of following through on New Year’s resolutions. In the many years I’ve been setting life-improving goals, there hasn’t been a single resolution I’ve stuck to for 365 days. In fact, I’m not even sure I’ve attempted any of them for as long as 21 days, the length of time it takes to create a new habit.

So what happens? I wish I knew. But because of my inability to keep the resolutions I make, many of them wind up on my New Year’s to-do list year after year. Here are some of the repeat offenders:

• Do cardio at least three times a week
• Stop comparing myself to other people
• Create photo albums of the pictures I’ve taken in the past year
• Call friends more often/return phone calls in a more timely manner
• Eat more fresh fruit

More random resolutions over the years have included: learn to meditate, learn how to play poker, and learn to crochet. I have still yet to attempt any of the three.

Last January I gave myself a single goal to accomplish in 2012 – read one book.  As a new (tired) mom, I knew I didn’t have the resolve to commit to a long list of resolutions. And I’m happy report that I not only read one book this past year, I read three additional books as well!

It’s time to start thinking ahead to what I’d like to accomplish in 2013. When the clock strikes midnight and the calendar year begins anew, I’d love to feel confident in my ability to actually make some positive life changes. But I could use some help. Tell me, how have you made your New Year’s resolutions a reality?