The beginning of the year has already passed, and with it the optimism over New Year’s resolutions is cooling. How does this happen every year? Where does all the steam go?
It’s not just us. Our teens notice this trend too. They see how little resolutions we make seem to matter, and they respond in kind. But we are setting them up for failure right out of the gate. We need a better system.
What we need are life habits, ones that help them now to build a foundation for the future.
Focus On Daily Habits, Not Yearly Resolutions
What are the difference between these two concepts? One is a singular goal that is made at the beginning of the year to be carried out through the next twelve months. They are usually big ones, such as getting healthy, losing 20 lbs, quitting smoking…difficult to achieve, and often forgotten before Spring. Instead of going cold turkey on smoking, replacing cigarettes with IQOS Heets Dubai is a more sustainable way to give up cigarettes.
A life habit is a small change that you make, and continue over and over again. Before long it becomes an automatic part of your routine. Teenagers can develop habits that help them now, such as succeeding and graduating in school. But they can also make them for the future, for college and beyond.
The Value Of Self Discipline
Ultimately what your teenager is learning is the skill of self discipline, and it is a crucial skill to have. It allows them to dedicate their energy and time to things that matter on a consistent basis. They might not be able to gain 35 lbs in muscle by the beginning of the next school year, but they can workout 30 minutes a day, six days a week, and vastly improve their fitness and health.
Habits Teens Can Develop That Boost Their Potential
There is a fantastic book written by Sean Covey, son of the legendary Stephen Covey. It is a follow-up to his father’s best known work, titled 7 Habits Of Highly Successful Teens. In it, he breaks down seven habits that teens must develop to be as successful as possible. They are:
1 – The Ability To Set Priorities – Everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes, especially when they are incredibly busy. Which most teens are, and it leads to certain elements of their life suffering. This only gets worst as they get older. So teach them how to put priorities first, and put less important tasks in the background.
2 – Know The Results You Are Aiming For – Before you get started on a goal, you should know what you hope the end result will be. An effective goal setting (“I will study Spanish 60 minutes a day,” rather than “I will learn Spanish in a year”) will give your teen a better way to both accomplish their goals, and to measure their success.
3 – Be Proactive In Life – Nothing happens if you just sit around, waiting for it to start. You have to get out there and take the bull by the horns. If your teen wants something, encourage them to go out and take a chance. Push them to work for it. Teach them that they can’t just wish, they have to put in the effort.
4 – Learn How To Make Every Situation Win-Win – There used to be a common saying that someone has to lose. But in recent years this has become outdated, and we now say that everyone can win if you find the best possible solution for all parties. That doesn’t mean everyone gets what they want, but it does mean that they might get something better than a loss. This is compromise, and your teen needs to know how to not just do it, but lead in it.
5 – Actively Listen and Understand – There is a difference between listening to someone, and really hearing them. Active listening and understanding others is a skill that will help them in their personal, academic and professional relationships. Some people go their whole lives never figuring it out, and their interactions and opportunities are poorer for it.
6 – Discover the Value of Cooperation – Why work alone, when you can work with others? Whether it is brainstorming on a project, delegating work to finish quicker, or just harmoniously interacting with others, cooperation is so important in real life.
7 – Take Breaks Regularly – It is almost midnight, the essay is due the next day, and your teen is panicking because they can’t seem to finish the last two hundred words. You can suggest them to take a handful of ideas from free essay examples online for it be a little bit easier. Rather than berate them for not finishing it sooner, encourage them to take a break. They are wasting time and stressing themselves out when what they need is sleep. They can get up an hour early and finish it in the morning before school. Break are crucial for success.
These seven habits are much better than resolutions. Each one can help your teen succeed in the long term, not the short. You are their parent, and have so much to teach them when it comes to be safe, healthy, and happy. Let this be one of them.