In this season of making resolutions, we found it interesting to ask what other people are doing. What do they aspire to? And, while we’re at it, what are the likeliest resolutions to fail?
Since SuperAging is, in itself, a resolution — lots of new things to be aware of and to do — these questions are particularly apt.
This helpful article, on BabyBoomers.com, provides an interesting summary. Have a look and see how it lines up (or doesn’t) with your own plans and aspirations.
There aren’t any real surprises in the 5 most popular:
— Health and fitness – Always at the top of the list – diet, exercise, more sleep
— Money — Save more, invest more wisely, reduce or eliminate debt
— Personal development — Learning new skills, exploring further education
— Strengthening social connections
— Mental well-being — Stress reduction, brain health
All good ideas. But are some more likely to succeed than others? Perhaps most importantly, should they be framed with some specifics that are likely to be achievable? A list of good intentions doesn’t really work unless you have a reasonable shot at success. So we liked the follow-up section in the article, where they list the top 5 resolutions that most frequently fail.
— Weight loss and dieting — Too many unrealistic goals, plus single-focus “fad” solutions. Much better is “a holistic approach focusing on lifestyle changes.
— Saving money — Again, “unrealistic goals” is the chief culprit. Is the budget plausible? Did you allow for unexpected expenses? The spread sheet may look exciting on New Year’s Day, but it deserves a cold and unemotional second look.
— Exercise routines — Once again, too ambitious both in terms of time commitment and expectations of results. Can you really work out that often? That vigorously? Better to start with more modest goals. Even better, incorporate physical exercise into daily activities. (Check out our book for the information about “exercise snacks.”)
— Quitting smoking — We hope most of our readers have already done this by now. It isn’t easy; you’ll need a strong support system.
— Time management — This is a really important one. There’s no question a SuperAger is going to be busy! Are you getting lost among too many tasks? There are numerous resources about time management; usually, they’re written with a business focus, but there’s no reason you can’t apply them to your personal life. Also, consider a life coach (we introduce you to a few in our book).
At the end of the article, there’s a very interesting and helpful list of possible resolution topics, including some new ideas on volunteerism, tech proficiency, setting travel as a goal in itself, and getting more specific about health screening and preventive care.
What we really like here is the idea of treating resolutions as more than just a “feel-good” (and often temporary) emotional boost, and instead making the process a key part of your SuperAging action plan!