It’s a new year, and with the past in our rearview mirror, many of us choose a New Year’s resolution.
Unfortunately, people abandon their resolutions midway through the first month. Go ahead and ask anyone what their resolution was this past year. I’m pretty sure he or she has forgotten.
This year, don’t let your resolution fall by the wayside. Honestly, I usually hate waiting for someone to get off of a machine at the Rec, but after winter break, I embrace that time period. Witnessing people firsthand trying to better themselves helps motivate me.
However, as the semester goes on, attendance seems to dwindle. The people who have become regulars start to trail off and the machines become unoccupied once again. This sentiment de-motivates me.
This is my plea to you; the person out there, trying to shed a few pounds; the guy who wants to break out of his shell and obtain a bigger friend circle; the girl who failed a class this past semester and wants to boost her GPA: Don’t abandon your resolutions. Stay strong and stay motivated. Pick up your phone, open your calendar and make questions in the form of events for months ahead. “Did you talk to your professor out of class yet?” “Did you run today?” “What’s the last song you learned on guitar?”
When choosing your resolution, however, you have to choose something that can actually happen. Each year, I generally choose something that makes me more health conscious. I can eat healthier, workout more and walk everywhere. I cannot lose 30 lbs., bench 300 lbs. and have muscles come out of places I didn’t even know they could, while balancing a decent social life, sleep pattern and good grades.
Choose a goal that is versatile and can be achieved in a few different ways. Don’t choose something ridiculous like “Get that one hot chick to date me” or “Learn to play Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Eruption’ on guitar with my feet.” If you create a goal that is achievable, you won’t be let down if your first attempts fail.
For example, if one is trying to lose weight, their first intuition may be to start running every day. As time progresses, they progress, but not as fast as they would like and the results are not satisfying.
This doesn’t mean a person has failed. It means they need a new strategy. Cut out starches. Start Insanity. Eat in metabolism-boosting patterns. This change up shouldn’t demotivate you. It should help you learn more about your body and what it needs.
Also, don’t do it alone. If you have a friend with the same goals and resolutions, get together with this person and motivate each other. Study together. Run together. Practice the C, G and D chords while the other creates a smooth guitar lead over top.
For me, working out with someone hurts my progress because I get distracted, but being accompanied by a friend helps me substantially while studying. Once again, it is all about what is best for you.
Don’t be afraid or reluctant to try to better yourself. If you want to do better in class, talk to the professor. Don’t be shy. Professors were students once too.
If you want to lose weight, go to the Rec. Don’t be ashamed or scared. If anything, be motivated because you are surrounded by people who are also trying to better themselves.
It’s a new year. It’s a new semester. It’s a new chance to become something better.
At the end of the year, be proud that you accomplished your goals through effective strategies. When the ball is about to drop, don’t look at your friend and say “I totally forgot what my resolution was last year.”
Stay motivated and be proud.
This is your time.
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