New Year S Eve Dreamstime For Web
New Year S Eve Dreamstime For Web
New Year S Eve Dreamstime For Web
New Year S Eve Dreamstime For Web
New Year S Eve Dreamstime For Web

How to keep your New Year's resolution in 2014

Dec. 19, 2013
It takes time and discipline to train your mind towards thinking quality thoughts.

By Kimberly Herrmann, RDH
December 19, 2013

As the year comes to a close, I hear people talking about and preparing to make resolutions for the New Year. They also allow for some spinout over the holidays. For instance, saying, “I’ll eat whatever I want; I’ll spend whatever I want; I’ll neglect my physical and emotional needs, and then, in January, I’ll make these resolutions and get back on track.” By thinking this way, we get ourselves so out of balance that to recalibrate in January is much harder, not to mention stressful, than it should be. And because it is so hard, we end up giving up on our resolutions after a couple of weeks. We literally set ourselves up for failure that way!

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Instead of the New-Year’s-resolutions approach, I decided several years ago to take inventory of my life instead. What is working in my life? What are the things I’m doing well that are propelling me in a positive direction? I’ll do more of those. Are there some habits and thoughts I’m holding onto that are perhaps creating a stumbling block and holding me back from being the best version of myself? Then those things need to GO!

I believe possessing a positive attitude is one of the biggest factors of being successful, no matter what it is you’re working towards. By looking at yourself and recognizing the things you are doing that are stepping-stones to positive momentum in your life, you can focus your attention on bringing more of those things to you.

All of us are works in progress. We are matter, energy. Ever changing. Don’t you want to affect the changes in your life for the better, and not to your detriment? An afternoon spent worrying about a test or comparing your performance to your classmates’ performances brings unnecessary negativity into your world.

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It takes time and discipline to train your mind towards thinking quality thoughts. But it can be done, and the results are well worth the effort! Wouldn’t you like to look up at the end of 2014 and see a really cool version of yourself, of your own making, because you were dedicated to building on the beneficial things you knew you were doing well?

Let’s look at some of the things you could say about yourself now:

I like it that I prepare myself well for my tests. I’m going to do more of that this year. It makes me feel good!

Even if I don’t feel 100% up to it, I am really good about going to class always. That is important. I’ll keep doing that. It helps me excel in school.

School can feel so serious. I love it when my friends and I get together and act silly, have fun, and share laughter and good times. I will make sure to do that at least weekly, because it seems to help me de-stress.

I’m really learning to listen to my body. I make sure to have quality food on hand so that when I’m hungry, I can eat well. When I feel tired at night studying, I love it that I will go to bed, because I know I can count on myself to get up early in the morning and finish studying when my mind is fresh.

And when I feel restless or irritated, I’ve learned that a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood or park does wonders for clearing my head. I’m going to remember to do more of that.

Taking inventory of what it is that’s working in your life truly does help you to focus your efforts on the positive side. And the more you focus on those positive attributes, the more they will expand and grow. It is so much more valuable of a tool than setting unrealistic expectations on yourself and creating failure, which in turn makes you have a low self-image, zaps you of your creative energy, and can leave you feeling frustrated and depressed, as well as worried and fearful.

Make the decision to make 2014 the year you shed any negative attitudes or habits, and appreciate and expand on what’s working in your life!

Kimberly Herrmann, RDH has been a practicing dental hygiene clinician for 27 years. She is a past alternate delegate to the ADHA, past president of the Mississippi DHA, and past president-elect of Southern Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association. She currently serves as an examiner with CITA and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women. You can find more hygiene advice from Kimberly in her new book, Becoming a Clinical Asset, written to inspire new hygienists, outline real solutions to everyday challenges, and provide support along the way.