29 December 2006

fifth day of Christmas: resolutions

About this time many thoughts turn to New Year's resolutions. There is ongoing psychological research to help.
psychologists have identified five tips to help keep resolutions. The first is to make only one resolution: ... They also suggest planning your resolution in advance, instead of waiting until New Year's Eve. ... Another tip is to avoid repeating a previous resolution, or at least try a different technique to keep it. ... The remaining tips include keeping resolutions specific and rewarding yourself by buying a new book or CD if you manage to lose a few pounds or cut down on smoking.

Taking on board the second of those tips, I recommend starting to think about changes now but wait for Lent to commission it /them. Maybe take a trial run between times to learn from the experience and reflect and plan (Kolb cycle stuff, if that means anything to you). You could always ask someone to help coach you through it too, especially if you are not experienced in planning, tinkering with your own personal motivation and generally thinking about how to effect lasting changes of habit in your life. If I was still regularly life coaching I'd offer my services ...

Psychologists seek key to successful new year resolutions | Science | Guardian Unlimited: Filed in: , , , ,

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"Spend and tax" not "tax and spend"

 I got a response from my MP which got me kind of mad. You'll see why as I reproduce it here. Apologies for the strange changes in types...