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Tips for Successful New Year’s Resolutions

 

By Gi Yong-ho, Head Student Editor

 

The first days of the year of 2007, of which the Chinese zodiac sign is the boar have already arrived. Whenever facing a New Year, people tend to make several New Year’s resolutions. However, it is true that over one third of people break their New Year resolution within two months. This may imply that something is wrong in planning it. Some of readers still remember what they had in mind at the end of December but others may already have forgotten what they had determined. So, why don’t you sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, a paper and a pen, and reflect: What kinds of resolutions will you make for yourself this New Year? The maxim ‘Better late than never’ still works.

What is the best way to make a New Year’s resolution? To answer this hard question, it is pretty interesting to think the reverse of what is the surest way not to keep it. For example, you may set an unattainable goal such as never eating your favorite food and wait until the last minute on New Year’s Eve in planing. What’s more, you may expose yourself to all temptations and be completely free of any feedback. Any easier methods are up to your creative imagination.

From the above mentioned answers, we can infer several tips on how to make a succesful New Year’s resolution. First, setting a realistic goal is one of the most important factors that make the plan achievable. Second, planning ahead prevents people from making a hasty spur of the moment plan. Needless to say, controlling temptation and checking your actions will make big differences. To avoid temptations, it is a good way to talk about your goal to people around you. In addition, keeping track of progress such as each small success you make toward reaching your large goal will keep you motivated. It is also important to be alert to any feedback and response to it correctly. Don’t beat yourself up in trying to stick to it. Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new action such as exercising to become a habit and 6 months for it to become part of one’s personality.

The reason why we repeatedly do this annual ritual is to kick bad habits and start off a better life. And the old adage ‘Well begun, half done’ emphasizes the importance of making a good resolution. This is a kind of self-management and in doing it well, we can improve ourselves. Chonnam Tribune hope that all members of CNU will face this year’s December with joy and confidence, not having any sighs or regrets, because such negative feelings don’t help you stay healthy mentally .

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