With the start of the new year, many find themselves reflecting on the past year, re-evaluating life, and pondering what “resolutions” they will set for the new year. New year’s resolutions often focus on “stopping” doing certain things and starting to make changes. Many resolutions revolve around trying to be healthier in some way. Yet evidence shows that about 80% of people fail to stick to their New Year’s resolutions longer than six weeks. That means by the time that Valentine’s Day rolls around, many have abandoned their desire to change. Often resolutions are attempts to find ways to solve problems.
What if, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions which require change and “fixing” problems (and change is hard!) – you focus instead on making New Year’s Solutions?
Who doesn’t like a solution after all? One way to identify solutions is to focus on things that have gone well in the past, and pinpoint how you can do more of that (rather than trying to change).
As you reflect on the past year, here are 5 questions to ask yourself and guide your thinking as you identify solutions:
- What went well for you in 2019?
- What did you feel happy about?
- What behaviors helped you feel successful and were doable?
- How can you do more that?
- Instead of thinking about “problems”, how can you reframe your thinking into positive “opportunities” and solutions? (Reframing a situation, idea, or belief can bring a fresh perspective. You can read more about this in our January 2, 2019 post.)
We’d love to hear what your’re thinking about for your New Year’s Solutions. Connect with us on Twitter or Instagram @AFreshPOVforYou!
If you are a health care professional and interested in learning more about our solution-focused practice and approach, when you subscribe to our blog, we’ll send you in return a FREE resource of 10 Solution-Focused Questions to start a solution-focused discussion with your clients.
