December 08, 2011

Set Yourself Up for Success in the New Year: How to Make and Keep Your Resolutions

This time of year is all about celebration and hope for a happy and successful New Year! A large part of that hope can hinge on the “New Year’s Resolution.”  Most people make resolutions intended to better ourselves and the lives of our families. However, there is a big difference between making and keeping those goals and resolutions.

Even the most specific and seemingly attainable resolutions can turn out to be merely wishes and wants that fall frail by February. Do you know what it takes to turn your resolutions into reality? Here are some key questions to ask yourself in order to help establish realistic and healthy goals.

Is my resolution reflective of my current priorities?
Many times we announce a resolution as if on autopilot because it sounds good, or because it is popular with most people. It may not even be among your current priorities. Or worse yet, it’s someone else’s priority for you. Your dreams today may be very different than they were a year ago. Have you grown or made improvements in your personal, family or financial life?  If your circumstances or situations are different than they were a year ago, you may need to update your resolutions. Your goals should be reflective of your current priorities, rather than just leftover ones from the year before. 

What are my resources to accomplish this resolution?
Having supportive people around you will be a great resource in working toward your goals.  Keep close those friends and family who care about you and your success. You may even seek out a group in your community with similar goals, for support. Also, many times we don’t have the best information about how to pursue a particular goal, so we become frustrated and give up.  As the New Year begins, give yourself time to research your best options for moving forward.  Speaking with an expert or researching your topic of interest will lay a foundation for an action plan, rather than just jumping right in and “winging it.”

What has stopped me before?
Assess what has caused you failure or frustration in pursuing previous New Years resolutions. Maybe you really wanted something and also believed you could do it, but had no plan or commitment to make it happen.  Or perhaps your self-concept was weak, causing constant derailment. Another roadblock of success is having an “all-or-nothing” mentality.  Simply because you slipped today and ate two pieces of chocolate does not mean your fitness goals for the year are out the window. You are not perfect. You can make a new decision any day, and in spite of past decisions.  Don’t let unrealistic expectations pressure you into giving up!

Why am I choosing this resolution?
Working toward this particular resolution will be leading you toward an abundance of what?  How will your life be different when you achieve this goal, and why does that matter? List the benefits that your resolutions will provide you personally and perhaps for those around you.  Focus on your motivations – improved health, enhanced relationships, thriving children and a prosperous future, for example.

If you need professional help working through goals, barriers and achieving personal health and happiness, Centerstone’s professional staff can help. Whether it’s counseling or life coaching, Centerstone can provide you with the services you need to get on the road to a better you this New Year. For more information, contact Centerstone at 888-291- HELP (4357).

About Centerstone
Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, is the nation's largest provider of community-based behavioral healthcare. It provides a full range of mental health, addiction and related educational services to more than 75,000 individuals of all ages each year. The organization has nearly 130 facilities and 220 partnership locations throughout Indiana and Tennessee. It also operates the Centerstone Foundation; the Centerstone Research Institute (CRI), which is improving mental healthcare through innovative research and information technology; Not Alone, which provides confidential, no-cost support and mental health services to service members, combat veterans and their loved ones; and Advantage Behavioral Health, a behavioral health administrative management organization.

Susan GillpatrickAbout Susan Gillpatrick, MEd, LPC, CTS
Susan Gillpatrick, Centerstone Crisis Management Specialist, primarily works in the field with clients in critical incident response situations, and in Centerstone’s wellness trainings and presentations.  She is also responsible for planning and implementing marketing and growth strategies for Centerstone’s Crisis Management Strategies.

Ms. Gillpatrick is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma Specialist, Certified Workplace Conflict Mediator, and Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee and a National Certified Counselor.  She is also a member the American Counseling Association, the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, the Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association, and the Middle Tennessee Employee Assistance Professionals Association.  She is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences, and has had numerous articles published.  She received her Master of Education degree in Human Development Counseling from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University.

To request Susan Gillpatrick to speak with your group or organization about complete wellness in living, contact her at (615) 460-4445 or susan.gillpatrick@centerstone.org.