Hello, Titans!

We’re back this week in the first article of 2018 with a word on those statements people make or write down in a journal but almost always never follow through on. This week, we’re talking about resolutions and how you can maintain the commitment to cut as much sugar as possible or do that morning workout every other day. Whatever your resolution(s) may be, we at the Titan Times are going to ensure that you make and maintain those resolutions this year.

One of the first issues that people make is making a goal that is a drastic change of life for them. For example, if you are a decently heavy drinker and decide to cut out alcohol out of your diet 100% – great, but that could possibly have a very negative impact on your personality and well-being for some time. That in mind, make a resolution that is achievable and measurable. With the alcohol example, maybe instead of going cold turkey, wean yourself off of it. Slowly cut back on your consumption month by month until you reach your desired goal by whatever goal you set. If you drink 5 beers a day, maybe cut it back to 4 beers every other day.  Whatever works for you.

When making your resolution, make it specific and relevant. In the words of Katherine L. Milkman from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, “Making a concrete goal is really important rather than just vaguely saying ‘I want to lose weight.’ You want to have a goal: How much weight do you want to lose and at what time interval? Five pounds in the next two months — that’s going to be more effective.” Not only will this give you a specific goal and not overwhelm you, but it will make it easier to achieve because you have set this concrete goal. Thankfully, most things can be measured in some form of unit and be achieved by a certain time.

There are many things that you can make a resolution for – be more active, lose a bit of weight, start budgeting your money better. The list is nearly endless. With the tools above, you are already well on your way to making and maintaining better resolutions. For more stories like this, check back each week on Titantime.org

Works Cited

“How to Make (and Keep) a New Year’s Resolution.” The New York Times, The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/resolution-ideas.