Peace, Love, and Psychology

Episode Nine: Making The Best Resolution You Can for a Great Year Ahead

December 30, 2023 Dan Raker, PsyD Season 1 Episode 9
Episode Nine: Making The Best Resolution You Can for a Great Year Ahead
Peace, Love, and Psychology
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Peace, Love, and Psychology
Episode Nine: Making The Best Resolution You Can for a Great Year Ahead
Dec 30, 2023 Season 1 Episode 9
Dan Raker, PsyD

Have you made resolutions in the past, only to fall back into the same old patterns a little while later? Why do get trapped into patterns of failure? If we are to make changes for the better in our lives, we need to understand why we keep doing the same actions over and over again, even when we know they will result in failure.

When we are trapped in patterns that don’t serve us, we stop seeing reality as it is. Instead, we filter out the broader information available to us and take in only a small slice of what is actually happening. This process of filtering data to fit what we are used to can lead us to believe that we already know all there is to know about a situation or person in our lives. This fallacy of certitude reinforces the information we already have and closes us off to new perspectives that might help us to actually solve the problem. We repeat the pattern of behavior, thinking we know all there is to know, and we keep reaping terrible results. Without fail, this downward spiral leads us to conclude that change is not possible and that things will never get better. 

We can resolve to see reality as it is, observing what is actually in front of us with fresh eyes. We can resolve to pursue humility about what we know, rekindling curiosity in our lives, opening the door to learning and growing. As we take in new information, we can learn new skills and try new approaches to problem solving, and this gives us the courage to resolve to make positive changes in our lives.

Like an artist who uses the power of observation to bring a fresh perspective to a work of art that moves us, we can refresh our natural curiosity and begin to approach life with more hope.

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Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.

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Show Notes

Have you made resolutions in the past, only to fall back into the same old patterns a little while later? Why do get trapped into patterns of failure? If we are to make changes for the better in our lives, we need to understand why we keep doing the same actions over and over again, even when we know they will result in failure.

When we are trapped in patterns that don’t serve us, we stop seeing reality as it is. Instead, we filter out the broader information available to us and take in only a small slice of what is actually happening. This process of filtering data to fit what we are used to can lead us to believe that we already know all there is to know about a situation or person in our lives. This fallacy of certitude reinforces the information we already have and closes us off to new perspectives that might help us to actually solve the problem. We repeat the pattern of behavior, thinking we know all there is to know, and we keep reaping terrible results. Without fail, this downward spiral leads us to conclude that change is not possible and that things will never get better. 

We can resolve to see reality as it is, observing what is actually in front of us with fresh eyes. We can resolve to pursue humility about what we know, rekindling curiosity in our lives, opening the door to learning and growing. As we take in new information, we can learn new skills and try new approaches to problem solving, and this gives us the courage to resolve to make positive changes in our lives.

Like an artist who uses the power of observation to bring a fresh perspective to a work of art that moves us, we can refresh our natural curiosity and begin to approach life with more hope.

Support the Show.

Thank you for listening!

Please subscribe and share with your friends.

Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.

CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.