Making New Years Resolutions
I’ve been gabbing on and on about my 108 resolutions for 2008 and I’m hoping that at least one of you will join me on this endeavor of making a list of things you’d like to accomplish by the end of the year. They can be small things or they can be big things, but when you’re making those big changes, I want you to take a minute and think about where you are in your life and then look at the Stages of Change Model.
I want you to look at these stages of change and decide where you fit into the puzzle with regards to the change that you would like to make.
Are you at the precontemplation stage? This stage is where there is no thought or intention of behavior change. If you’re thinking about adding something to your list of new years resolutions, you are probably not in the precontemplation stage. In fact, those in this stage are oftentimes unaware or even underaware of their problem.
Are you at the contemplation stage? In this stage you are aware the problem exists, and you are thinking about changing the behavior. You have yet to make the commitment to change, but you are thinking about it!
Are you at the preparation stage? Here, you know the problem is there and you have made the decision to change it. People in this stage are looking to make their change in the next 30 days. If you have added something to your resolutions list, you’re probably in the preparation stage.
Are you at the action stage? Here you are modifying your behaviors and your environment in order to change and overcome the problems. There are many behaviors changes and a lot of time and energy expended in this stage.’
If you’re at the maintenance stage you probably wouldn’t be reading the rest of this blog. Here you’re working to maintain and keep your gains you’ve acheived through the action stage! This stage can be as short as a few weeks and as long as decades depending on your changed actions.
So, depending on where you are in the stages of change model, your actions for a new years resolution will change. Be sure to keep these five stages in mind when you’re setting up your realistic goals!
mental & emotional health, new years resolutions, stages of change, precontemplation stage, contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage, maintenance stage, decision making
December 14th, 2007 at 11:03 am
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December 14th, 2007 at 11:54 am
I don’t quite know how to explain it, but I feel weird about setting goals this year. I feel good about so little in my life that I don’t want to make it worse by giving myself more reasons to think I’m a failure.
I think I can be more targeted in my goal setting and not put pressure on myself by setting unrealistic, dreamy goals. I’m still thinking about how I want to handle it this year.
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