Turn Negatives into Positives and Reach Your Goals

Have you noticed that many resolutions and goals are formulated in the negative? We tend to declare, "I want to watch less TV," or, "I will cut junk food out of my daily diet." However, making resolutions about things you want to cut back on or eliminate can often set you up for failure because you'll start to feel deprived. If you embrace the power of adding instead of subtracting, it can make setting and reaching goals much more enjoyable.

For instance, if you want a better diet, you may decide you want to eat less fat or less processed and junk food. Phrased in the negative, it can make you crave the very things you're trying to cut down on. However, this can become a positive goal if you turn it around. Instead, you can formulate your goal by saying you want to add more fruits, vegetables, fiber or more good fats to your diet. If you make sure to eat the recommended 5-9 fruits and vegetables per day and get your 25 grams of fiber per day, you'll have less room in your stomach for French fries and chicken fingers. If you resolve to add the "good" fats that come in nuts and fish, you'll have less room for foods containing saturated or trans fats.

This doesn't just work for food, though. It can work for many other types of goals, including your finances. For instance, to get out of debt or start setting aside a few dollars towards an emergency savings account, many people resolve to cut out frivolous expenditures. However, this goal can make you feel deprived if you don't replace your frivolous purchases and activities with something less expensive but still fun. You can turn this into a positive goal by resolving to replace one expensive night out with something less expensive. For instance, you may go out to dinner and a movie twice a month, and this can add up to fifty dollars or more for two people. If you want to cut down to just one movie and dinner outing a month to save some money, then consider making it into a positive goal. Instead of cutting out a fun night and moping at home, you can resolve to replace your movie and dinner with a potluck and card game night with a couple of friends, a make-your-own pizza night, or any other activity that is inexpensive but fun for you.

Here's one more example. Say your goal is to spend less time watching television. If you don't find other fun activities to replace a couple hours of TV watching each day, you'll find yourself restless and bored. Instead, think of some hobbies or interests you haven't paid attention to lately, and resolve to do more of them each week. For instance, maybe you used to knit, sew or make beaded necklaces, but you're out of the habit. Dedicate yourself to adding two hours of crafting to your week, and you won't feel deprived that you've missed a couple of your regular TV programs. Or perhaps you used to volunteer at the local library or Human Society. If you resolve to volunteer one night each week, you won't have time for TV but you won't miss it, either.

The key to harnessing the power of addition is to take a negative goal and make it positive. Instead of thinking of things you could eliminate or cut down on, consider replacing negatives with positives when you make your resolutions. That will be a big first step toward creating positive habits that will enrich your life.