January 1, 2011

New Year’s Eve is upon us and so are New Year’s resolutions. Energy work such as reiki promotes harmony among body, mind and spirit, with the idea being that we occasionally become out-of-balance and equilibrium must be restored. As we strive for this harmony in our lives, New Year’s resolutions offer an exceptional opportunity to consciously change ourselves.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some of the most common American New Year’s resolutions are losing weight, getting more physical activity, eating more nutritious foods, quitting cigarettes, cutting back on alcohol, reducing stress and sleeping better. For most of us, however, resolutions for self-improvement are much easier said than done.

Change can be difficult, and in 2007, British psychologist and professor at the University of Hertfordshire, Richard Wiseman conducted a study that tracked the success of New Year’s resolutions for 3,000 people -- 40% from the US and 60% from the UK. At the start of the year, 52% were confident about maintaining their resolutions, but only 12% ultimately succeeded. Nevertheless, there is hope.

Prof Wiseman offers the following tips to increase your rate of resolution success:
1. Make only one resolution: Focus your energy on one goal at a time.
2. Plan ahead: Take a few days to think about your goals and then decide what you want to accomplish.
3. Avoid previous resolutions: Choose something new or approach an old problem in a new way.
4. Be specific: Ambiguous plans have a lower success rate. Know the who, what, where, when, why and how of your resolution.
5. Make it personal: Think about what you really want out of life. Do not simply go along with the crowd.

Specifically for men he adds to focus on creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based (SMART), and to focus on how much better life will be for you and others when you achieve your resolution. Expressly for women he states to tell others such as family, friends and colleagues, and to be persistent. You may falter from time to time, but do not allow it to deter you.

New Year’s resolutions and life changes in general can be difficult to achieve, but by making a few adjustments, you might surprise yourself.

Dave Gorczynski is president of SPARK, a non-profit organization that has provided free energy work sessions and workshops across New York City since 2002. He writes a regular column about energy work and meditation for the Compact News in New York City's Chinatown. E-mail him at dave@sparkenergy.org.