Establishing A Game Plan That Matters – New Year’s Resolution Week

New Year’s Resolution Week is the first week of January. Setting resolutions is routinely done each year by millions of Americans. Often, resolutions are set to add purpose or meaning to our lives. The onset of a new year also provides opportunity to look ahead versus back.

When devising resolutions, it is important to identify ones that are achievable and can be fulfilled in stages, so it will serve as a reminder that change is a process versus an activity that happens quickly or overnight. Healing one day at a time is possible when you set realistic goals.

To get started, select a resolution that matters and will improve one or more aspects of your life. Break it down into components. For example, if you are experiencing difficulties with gambling and want to stop, this can be accomplished by completing a resolution game plan, that starts with calling the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s (FCCG) 24/7 confidential and multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. While the following are some ideas and you are encouraged to devise your own resolution game plan, just remember, 888-ADMIT-IT can help you make your resolutions a reality:

• Spend time with loved ones who support your efforts and exclude those who don’t.
• Remove gambling paraphernalia from your home, car, office and elsewhere.
• Attend a self-help meeting by Gamblers Anonymous in person, by phone or online.
• Ask a trusted person to attend a self-help meeting by Gam-Anon, to increase their understanding.
• Sign up for the FCCG’s Online Program for Problem Gamblers, completely free of charge!
• Ask someone you trust to oversee your finances.
• Restrict your access to money and credit.
• Self-exclude at the locations you gamble (land based and online options).
• Unsubscribe and block yourself from receiving gambling ads and solicitations.
• Visit a therapist certified in compulsive gambling
• Fill unplanned time with family, friends, and others who encourage you to keep moving forward.
• Use the FCCG’s Budget Toolkit to devise a financial plan that pays off debt over time, and monthly expenses.
• Meditate and reflect daily.
• Track your progress.

Resolution Guidelines

• Write down your resolution
• Be sure it is specific and attainable
• Outline how, when, and why you chose it
• Set a plan to achieve
• Schedule what you plan to do when
• Start with small steps
• Share your resolution with the people closest to you
• Ask others to support your resolution efforts
• Start a resolution journal to hold yourself accountable

Be patient! Change is a process and does not occur overnight.

Motivational and mood-boosting reminders, such as the following, can prove helpful when trying to adhere to a resolution plan. Place positive post-it notes in visible locations to furnish the daily doses of motivation needed to get started and adhere to your plan!

• Live more in the moment
• Add meaning to your life
• Be gentle with self and others
• Change your mindset
• Invest in yourself
• Improve your finances
• Meditate
• Be more grateful
• Enjoy the little things
• Improve relationships
• Bring more peace into your life

For help devising your resolution game plan, call 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848), text (321-978-0555), email (fccg@gamblinghelp.org), live chat (gamblinghelp.org), use the 888-ADMIT-IT App (https://landing.appypie.com/888-admit-it), or reach out on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.