new year – The Metrognome

Ah, the New Year! That magical time when we’re brimming with optimism, armed with lists of resolutions that promise to transform our lives. “This is the year!” we declare, imagining ourselves hitting the gym daily, mastering a new language, or finally giving up late-night snacks. But let’s be honest: sticking to New Year resolutions can be tricky. Fear not! Here’s a guide to help you turn those resolutions into habits that last.

1. Start Small, Think Big

One of the most common mistakes is going overboard with ambitious goals. Sure, it’s great to aim high, but tackling Everest on day one? Not realistic. Instead, break your big resolution into bite-sized, achievable steps. Want to run a marathon? Start with a daily 10-minute jog. Planning to declutter your home? Focus on one drawer, not the entire house. Small wins build momentum and confidence.

2. Be Specific

“Get healthy” is a noble goal, but what does it actually mean? Resolutions that are vague are hard to follow. Instead, get specific. For example, “Drink two liters of water daily” or “Go to yoga class every Tuesday and Thursday” are actionable and clear. When your goals are well-defined, it’s easier to track progress.

3. Write It Down and Visualise It

There’s something powerful about putting your resolutions on paper. Write them down and keep them somewhere visible—on your fridge, your desk, or even as your phone wallpaper. Better yet, create a vision board with images that represent your goals. Seeing your dreams regularly can help keep you motivated.

4. Make It Fun

Who says resolutions have to be all work and no play? Infuse some fun into your journey. If your goal is to exercise more, try dance workouts, join a quirky fitness class, or work out with friends. If you’re learning a new skill, gamify it—use apps that reward you for milestones, or set friendly challenges with others.

5. Find an Accountability Buddy

Accountability can be a game-changer. Share your resolutions with a friend, family member, or even a group online. Having someone to check in with can keep you on track, and celebrating progress together is an added bonus. Plus, no one wants to face the “So, how’s that resolution going?” question without results!

6. Embrace Flexibility

Life happens, and that’s okay. Maybe you missed a gym session or indulged in a dessert during your “no-sugar” month. Don’t throw in the towel! Resolutions aren’t about perfection; they’re about progress. Treat setbacks as learning experiences, not failures. Adjust your goals if needed and keep going.

7. Reward Yourself

Celebrate your wins, big or small. Rewards can be a great motivator, so treat yourself when you hit a milestone. Bought healthy groceries for a month? Splurge on a fancy water bottle. Finished that online course? Watch your favorite movie guilt-free. Recognising your achievements keeps the journey enjoyable.

8. Track Your Progress

What gets measured gets managed. Keep a journal, use an app, or simply tick off a checklist to track your progress. Seeing how far you’ve come can boost your confidence and push you to keep going. Plus, tracking lets you tweak your approach if something isn’t working.

9. Focus on the Why

Understanding why you’re pursuing a resolution is key to sticking with it. Ask yourself: what’s the deeper reason behind your goal? Want to exercise more? Maybe it’s to feel stronger, improve your health, or keep up with your kids. When your “why” is clear, your motivation becomes stronger.

10. Make It Part of Your Identity

Instead of thinking, “I’m someone trying to get fit,” tell yourself, “I am a fit and active person.” This subtle shift in mindset can work wonders. When your resolution aligns with how you see yourself, sticking to it becomes a natural part of your routine.

11. Reflect and Adjust

Take time to review your progress regularly. Are you moving closer to your goal? Are there obstacles you didn’t anticipate? Reflection allows you to celebrate successes and make adjustments if needed. Remember, resolutions are not set in stone—they’re dynamic and can evolve with you.

Final Thoughts

New Year resolutions aren’t about becoming a whole new person overnight. They’re about growing, learning, and making consistent efforts to be the best version of yourself. So, whether you’re mastering meal prep, running that extra mile, or simply trying to read more books, remember to have fun with the process. This year can truly be your year—one step at a time. You’ve got this!

We bid adieu to a horrifying year of hate and violence, and say a fond farewell to two trailblazing Indians.

by Humra Quraishi

I bid adieu to 2014 with a shudder and a prayer on my lips. The year started well enough, but soon spiralled out of control, with killings and violence in India and all over the world.

I am also saddened by the loss of two prominent personalities in Delhi who recently passed away. One was Saiyad Hamid, a retired civil servant of the UP cadre, and the other was journalist and writer BG Verghese.

Speaking of Saiyad – he was unlike other sarkari Mussalmaans. He will always be remembered for his extensive work and the effort he took for the betterment of minority communities, conducting exhaustive surveys and research on the reasons for the decline of the Muslim community in education and economic spheres.

I had interviewed him on several occasions, and also met him when he wrote a detailed volume on the dismal educational framework in Bihar’s Muslim mohallas. He had detailed a basic observation – in a majority of these mohallas, police thanas and chowkies had be set up in the very plots of land allotted for schools. “So where could the Muslim children study? And why did these mohallas need extra policing?” he had asked.

Another person to remember is BG Verghese, especially for the several important books that he authored. I had attended the launch of his last book, Post Haste: Quintessential India, which was released the last summer and was a truly offbeat book.

In the book, he narrated Indian history in the rather unusual technique of using postage stamps to take the narrative forward. These stamps added essential inputs and acted like ‘fragments of history’ to the book. When asked why he had written the book, Verghese simply said, “Today there is a sort of ‘intellectual illiteracy’ about our country’s history and geography. I worry about the fact that even the political leaders of the day mix up vital historical facts.”

To the why to this book , Verghese had quite simply put across that today there seems to be some sort of a “intellectual illiteracy” about our country’s geography and history , and he worries about this trend when even the political leaders of day mix up vital historical facts .

Verghese’s book can do a great service to the young, as it talks about India’s diversity in a very interactive way, and delves into details of the country’s tribes and their traditions. It also addresses little-known figments of history and clears religious misconceptions – books like this one lessen the divide among men and help shrink regional and religious gaps. More importantly, this book reflects the very idea and true spirit of India.

Humra Quraishi is a senior political journalist based in Gurgaon. She is the author of Kashmir: The Untold Story and co-author of Simply Khushwant.

(Featured image courtesy www.bbc.com)