New Year Resolutions - A Recipe for Success - Jan 5, 2005
M. Ron Eslinger, RN, CRNA, APN, BCH, CI

Every year millions of people make their New Year's Resolutions, but few if any follow through. Whether it is tobacco cessation, weight loss, study habits, or just getting organized. the intentions are worthy, but the will is weak. As the old saying goes "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." So why are these good, and in most cases, healthy intentions so unsuccessful? It is simply because most people do not know how to properly make and to put into action a resolution that involves a mind-body connection.

No matter what the resolution, following the rules of affirmation greatly enhances your ability to create a successful life changing experience. There are six important parts to making a successful resolution and they are:
1. Be Positive - Do not use words in your resolution such as not, don't, and want. (i.e. I don't eat chocolate) instead one should say, "I only eat chocolate in small amounts and feel full and satisfied."
2. Be Believable - Your goal must be believable and realistic. i.e. To say, "I am going to lose 40 pounds this month" is probably unrealistic and your mind will not accept it. However, Saying, "I eat properly, sparingly, and exercise so that I lose 2-8 pounds a month" is believable.
3. Be in the Present tense - To say, "I will eat properly and exercise" means that it is always in the future and therefore does not require immediate action. I am doing something is in the present and requires actions now. Do not use the work "will" in making a resolution.
4. Be Simple - The simpler the suggestion, the easier the mind can record and imprint the new behavior.
5. Be Measurable - Without the ability to measure we cannot tell if we are doing what we say we are doing. We measure by time or content. To say I walk daily does not have the same effect as saying, "I walk 20 minutes every day at 4:00." By adding the time, we create a habit and a ritual. Without the time, it becomes something we will do if we get around to it. Of course there is always something we have to do first, and then we realize it is time for bed and we haven't applied action to our resolution. Then we think, "no matter, maybe I will have time tomorrow".
6. Carry a Reward - Our lives revolve around getting rewarded for what we do. Our paycheck, going out to dinner, and even watching TV may be a reward. Therefore, by adding a built-in reward to our resolution we greatly enhance our chances of success.
Example of a positive resolution for reaching optimal weight:
Every day at 4:00 I walk 20 minutes and eat properly so that I look and feel my best.

See if this resolutions affirmation meets the six part criteria.
1. Positive - Yes, no negative words are used.
2. Believable - Yes, unless a medical condition prevents the walk.
3. Present tense - Yes, no future or past tense used.
4. Simple - Yes, a single sentence that is very specific.
5. Measurable - Yes, everyday, 4:00, 20 minutes.
6. Reward - Yes, look and feel best.
What we just discussed does not happen overnight, but with constant positive input to the subconscious mind, before long we find that our pants are larger around the waist or that we are smoking less and less until one day we realized we don't smoke anymore. Don't underestimate the power of the subconscious mind.