It’s hard not to get the resolution urge on New Year’s Day. There’s that sense of renewal, of rebirth and (for me) the guilty awareness that I ate my own weight in chocolate during the holidays. Sure, last year’s resolutions didn’t make it past Jan. 5. But hey, this year is going to be different! Right?
Real Talk: Many of us don’t have a clue how to make a reasonable resolution, which is why we fail to keep the ones we make. We set high goals for ourselves, and then wonder why we never reach them. I reign as the undisputed queen of the broken resolution. Lose a few pounds. Exercise. Relax. Take time for me, myself and I. They all failed, and not because I wasn’t sincere when I made them. I’d say it. I’d mean it. I’d even write it down. But, within a week, the treadmill had become a substitute coat rack, the diet books were sitting on the shelf and I was “super-mom-career-woman” again with the “S” on my chest, grabbing my cape and neglecting my resolutions.
“Resolution” comes from the word “resolve,” meaning to make up one’s mind or decide firmly. There’s something about a new year and a fresh start. It’s a powerful feeling to know you have a new year ahead of you, and you can choose what to do with it. But some people falter, because they don’t make plans for dealing with temptations. Here are some ideas that may help you in 2010:
* Form a support system of friends and family who will cheer you on and challenge you to stick to your goals. Steer clear of the “spirit-killers” who don’t have your best interests at heart.
* Think positive! Counter those negative ideas, such as “I’ll never succeed,” with positive thoughts: ”Today I made some progress!”
* Surround yourself with people and situations that encourage good habits. Join a support group. Ask a friend to be your exercise partner.
* Give yourself rewards and pats on the back for your progress.
* Please ladies: If you backslide one day, don’t throw in the towel and give up ’til next year! Dust yourself off, and get back on track. As the song goes, “we fall down, but we get up.”
The most important secret to keeping those New Year’s resolutions is to take the process of change one day at a time.
Real Talk: Big changes begin with small steps! Do just a little bit to get going and soon you’ll feel the benefits of the change, which can lead to long-term, healthy habits that last far beyond New Year’s Day.
Give it a try. Get started. Set goals, and make a REAL effort to reach them. If nothing else, you’ve made a decision and tried your best, which means you’ve already succeeded! And that’s Real Talk!
TC is a television and radio personality, writer and native Washingtonian. Known for “keepin’ it real,” her popular women-targeted info-commentary program, “Real Talk With TC” has been heard on radio stations throughout Washington, D.C., including WPGC, WHUR and WMMJ. Under her brand, she hosts Real Talk events monthly, discussing engaging topics and Q & A with live audiences. She is seen on television hosting shows on D.C. Cable TV-13, is an award-winning radio personality who has co-hosted D.C. morning shows with national comedians, actress Mo'Nique, George Wallace, George Willborn and motivational speaker Les Brown. She is, perhaps, best known as co-host of WHUR’s “The Real D.C. Morning Show.” Nationally, Dick Clark signed TC to his syndication company to host a radio program saluting R&B legends, and she was selected by Regis Philbin in his top 10 Women of Radio Co-Host search to replace Kathie Lee Gifford in 2000. TC resides in the Washington area with her three greatest achievements, her children: Atiya Maryam and Hassan. 
I love your article. I have made most of these same resolutions for myself this year.I have made resolutions to lose weight,eat healthier,grow closer to GOD,use my gifts, and to spend more time with my family.I started out good,exercising,reading the Word daily,praying more,and I have planned a “Sisters Day Out” for next Saturday where I will be spending time with my 3 sisters and my 3 sisters-in-law. I just don’t know how to keep all of this going and change them from a resolution to a lifestyle.