A Few Words About New Year's Resolutions
New Year is a time for making resolutions. Some might say that it’s the worst possible time - it’s the middle of winter, the post-Christmas blues are kicking in, and we may well be greeting New Year’s Day with a hangover. On the other hand, it’s a psychologically satisfying start date. A New Year and a New You just feels right somehow, and determination seems to be in the air.
So why do so many good intentions come to nothing? One big problem with resolutions is that they are often conscious decisions to change unconscious behaviour. That’s difficult to sustain in the long term. For example, you can consciously choose to alter your breathing. You can slow it down, or speed it up, or hold your breath altogether, if you really want to.
Sooner or later, however, your unconscious is going to take over again. Your breathing will return to its natural, appropriate rhythm, and you won’t even notice it happening. This is a good thing – imagine if you had to consciously decide how to breathe every single time!
The unconscious is usually in charge when it comes to those things which we’d like to change about ourselves. If we compulsively snack on biscuits, for example, it’s because our unconscious mind has formed a pattern that this is a “good” thing to do. Our rational, intelligent mind may not like it, and may even resolve to change the behaviour, for a while. But, just as the natural rhythm of breathing eventually comes back, so the unconscious will eventually return to what it perceives as the natural, appropriate pattern, and you’ll find yourself reaching for the biscuit tin again.
So what can be done about it? The good news is that once the unconscious mind gets the message, change is very rapid and permanent. Many ex-smokers, for instance, report that they quit “just like that”, often in response to a specific event – perhaps a health scare. Their expectations have changed at the deepest level, as the unconscious forms the new pattern of cigarette as “toxic killer” rather than “special friend”.
Hypnosis is effective because it goes straight to the source. It works with the part of the mind that controls the unwanted habit or behaviour, to teach it more helpful ways of going about things. We can also use self-hypnosis – imagination is a powerful tool, and a great way of communicating with the unconscious. Take the time to regularly relax, and vividly picture yourself doing all those things you’ve resolved to do. You’ll improve your chances of success immeasurably.
Good luck with this year’s resolutions. And remember, every day of the year is a good day to make the changes you want to make in your life. Happy New Year!
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