Cheers to Good Health, Happiness, and Prosperity in 2021!

Happy New Year! Here we are in 2021 and I am sure I am not the only one thinking “Wow! We made it!” 

We bet that 2020 was a year like no one planned and we believe that 2021 is going to be far better – even great! Last year, for better or worse, was definitely unique and I am sure we all have hope for this year; however, making resolutions may seem a little tough right now. 

To me, resolutions are generally about removing a perceived negative behavior brought on by excessive year-end celebrating; which most likely did not happen! 

Yeah, we finished stronger than expected!

How come no one (that I know of) ever makes a resolution to “Have more fun this year” or “Take time-off and not check email”?

In this new year, I say we should focus on a vision of healthiness by resolving any long-standing issue so to achieve more happiness and satisfaction in our lives.

Another problem with resolutions is that they tend to be sweeping and vague, such as “I will eat healthy this year”. This is not a smart goal. And this is why we generally abandon our resolutions by February. Let’s use the SMART goal formula to see why our resolution is not going to work:

(S)pecific – What does healthy mean?

(M)easurable – How do you know you are eating healthy?

(A)achievable – If you can’t answer to the 2 above, can you meet this goal?

(R)ealistic – ALL 365 days? Why and how is this year different?

(T)ime-bound – OK, it is a 365-day goal but a goal that is so far off in the future will most likely have you losing steam, as noted, by February.

Let’s rework our resolution to “I will eat one extra vegetable serving each day for the month of January”. Yes, simply do a little bit better. Is this SMART?

Specific – Yes, just 1 a day. And you are not over promising with 5 or 7 or a day, you are eating just ONE extra serving.

Measurable – Yes, simply take 1 extra ½ cup of crunchy or 1 cup of leafy vegetables. Cross off each day on a calendar to see your success and progress.

Achievable – Yes, you are adding something extra (no deprivation!) and it is not extreme or difficult to do. 

Realistic – Yes, this is realistic because it is small and not overly specific or time-consuming.

Time-bound – Yes, 31 days. But if this is overwhelming start in February which only has 29 days.

Cheers to good health, happiness, and prosperity in 2021!

Black-Eyed Peas and Greens as well as Hoppin’ John are two traditional foods eaten in the South on New Year’s Day. The peas are for good luck and expanding wealth and the greens represent US currency. Good luck is definitely worth planning for because as they say, “Luck favors the well-prepared”

Cook up a batch of black-eyed peas and greens, try Hoppin’ John or for a lighter fare consider this black-eyed pea saladas the perfect side for your meal.

Enjoy and Good luck for the new year to come!