I don't make New Year resolutions since there is nothing really sacred about January 1.
Of course, I understand that psychologically January 1 seems to wipe the slate clean, allowing people to start afresh. However, each day, each moment is an opportunity to commit to a course of action or to a lifestyle. So I prefer to cultivate mindfulness, an appreciation of the present moment, and I make resolutions or commitments to myself as necessary through the year.
If I am not clear about my priorities, I end up making resolutions that are sometimes in conflict. For example, wanting to work on a book, and wanting to spend more time with family and friends. Since time is a limiting factor, making two such resolutions make it harder to stick to them. I, therefore, now make one resolution at a time and then move on to the next one after accomplishing it. Science proves that this approach may be more effective than making multiple resolutions since it takes mental discipline and focus to bring resolutions to fruition.
Many years ago, I made a resolution to get into standup comedy. I wanted to do so to bring a balance to my otherwise serious profession. I was successful in doing so and for a few years, I was a psychiatrist by day and a standup comic by night! However, it takes focus to do anything well, and my commitments as a psychiatrist didn't allow me enough time to continue comedy, and so I gave it up.
Staying committed to the resolution can be daunting. Make one resolution —make it important and as life-changing as possible. Discover an emotional connection with the resolution—why do you want to do this and how it will change your life for the better. Enlist support—find people who have made similar resolutions and motivate each other along the way. Say, “I will do something” rather than “I won't do something”. For example, rather than saying “I won't eat unhealthy food”, say “I will eat healthy food”.
People find it hard to stay committed to their resolutions because human beings are hard-wired for conflict within the mind. A part of our brain seeks and is tempted by immediate pleasure. Another part of the brain is designed to check these impulses and to think about the long-term consequences of our actions. With discipline and practices such as meditation, we can improve our willpower and stay committed to our resolutions.
Bhat is chief psychiatrist, mind.fit.