Instead of Making Decisions, List Your Successes and Fears.
It’s that time of year again when everyone starts thinking about making promises to ourselves that we must keep for at least 365 days. This is usually not very good. Instead of making a decision, make these two lists.
Psychology Today argues that solutions don’t work because they focus around what we don’t like about ourselves or make us feel inferior: lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, and so on.
Start by listing the times you were great instead of starting the new year on a positive note. Then make a list of your fears to overcome your fear of change:
Why make a list of fears for the new year? Before you even think about your goals, you need to confront your fears and understand how they hold you back. This confrontation starts with admitting to yourself what you fear, and then figuring out if thefear is rational and how you can overcome it.
Plus, any hope of success requires you to be open to change. It sounds simple, but it is a step that most people skip or don’t think collectively because change is daunting. The known, even if it is insignificant, is easier and even preferable for many than the uncertainty that comes with change.
Here are two list templates from the article that you can use this week.
Forget about New Year’s resolutions | Psychology today