Changing the Routine - Resolutions and OCPD

For New Years, so many people decide on drastic resolutions: Eat only fresh food, stop buying so many clothes, work out every day or even organize a whole house!

These are all good intentions, and while its always good to reach for the stars, setting high goals can have a downside.

Resolving to do Bikram Yoga every day in 2011 is nice in theory, but our best resolutions have a way of getting altered in the day to day. Sometimes, with a really tough goal, knowing how hard it is can keep you from really trying.

If deep down, you know that it is too much, too soon - will you be able to even make a good effort? Or will you punk out at the first missing class, the first diet breaking dessert or the first missed yoga class?

With hard goals, there is no need to say its all or nothing. In fact, think of the odds of ending up on the "nothing" side!

You don't sprint a marathon. So why do something difficult and drastic all at once, when the goal is over the long term?


Isn't it better to cut some slack, take it slow, and stick it out for the long haul than burn out after a grueling week?

So next time you get frustrated with a botched resolution or when a goal doesn't get met, remember that doesn't mean its time to give up.

But maybe it is time to slow down, if only because that means you can pick up the pace later!