Don't Wait On New Year's Day; Start Now

Why are you waiting until the first of the year? So you can call your change a New Year's Resolution?

The reality is that you must not really want to change that much if it can wait. If you are waiting until the first of the year you are not genuinely committed to the change or the idea of change so it will be unsuccessful because you are already giving yourself excuses. It is like the old remark of "I will start on Monday." Monday comes and goes as does the New Year.

The idea of change is a scary one and it can be uncomfortable. There is not a good time to start making changes. However you have to remind yourself "Nothing changes if nothing changes." Change is often a process, a change in thought, behavior and emotions; it will not just happen because it is a New Year.

If you want change to be successful, what you have to do is set up a goal that is realistic. Rather than setting up a goal to lose 50 pounds this year, make a goal to be healthy and make healthier choices. It may take longer than a year for your body to cooperate with weight loss, but being healthy and making healthy choices can begin right now. Do you want to work on your symptoms of depression and anxiety, relationship stresses, financial stresses? Set realistic goals and maybe seek out some help. You can enlist friends, family, life coaches, advisors or therapists. If it is a significant want and it is important enough there is no excuse like, "I don't have time." "I don't have the money." "My kids are the priority." (which is an excuse for self care -- but we can discuss that later).

The other piece of this is that when you make strides to change it is important that you give yourself some credit. You are not going to rid yourself or your ailment overnight. Change is a process that takes place and sometimes the process can be lengthy and patience is not something we are good at. But it is necessary to remain positive with every effort that you take.

So, if you truly want to change or make a change you can begin right at this very moment. You can, just need to be ready and willing to make improved choices, and take action to do, think and feel differently. You have a goal and a plan to take action. This is what a resolution is and how it is supposed to work.

So why not stop and think, right at this moment what do I want to do, what do I want to achieve that will help me to think or feel differently about my life? What can I do in this moment to begin my change or improvement? I encourage you to take the opportunity to do this right now, because as we are often reminded, tomorrow is not promised and life is too short to remain miserable and live a life that is not fulfilling.

CARRIE NICKLES, LPC, IS A FORMER COUNSELOR WITH OZARK GUIDANCE AND IS SEEING PATIENTS TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AT PRAIRIE GROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER. CONTACT HER AT [email protected].