Why do Montrealers break the New Year's resolutions that we make? It is not because we do not have good intentions. The resolutions we make are usually heartfelt and thought about for a long time prior to making them on New Year’s Day. The problem lies in the fact that what is not thought out is the plan to execute the goals and or, the reality of actually being able to accomplish them.
According to many psychologists there is a serious gap between the thought of a New Year’s resolution and the actual ability to carry it out.
Plans are not set in stone
For example if your goal was to go back to school to become a nursery school teacher. You planned on doing it full time and were about to apply full time in the fall, Meanwhile your husband losses his job in the summer, and now would not be a good time to start. You need to get a job to help out with the family finances.
Life does get in the way so it is time to rework your plans
Instead of abandoning your goals altogether and say, "see whenever I want something for myself I can never get it, there is always something in my way," you can address the immediate problem to find a job to help out until your husband gets back on his feet.
As far as school instead of going full time how about part time? What if you take just a course or two for your degree and when your husband gets a job and money is flowing in again you can quit your job and go full time as you originally planned.
Revising plans are something we must always do because life does and always will take precedence; flexibility is key to sucess.
Montrealers who require help with goal setting or procrastination can go to the:
The McGill Counselling Clinic in Montreal provides therapy on a sliding fee basis.
Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology
Room 614, Education Building, 3700 McTavish Street
Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2
Tel.: 514-398-4242
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