Jennings: A few ideas on how to maintain momentum through the new year

Considering the success rate, New Year’s resolutions are an annual exercise in futility. Yet we can’t help but look ahead with good intentions, using the New Year as a motivational device for self-improvement.

Perhaps most New Year’s resolutions inevitably disappoint because they are so mundane. According to a recent Harris poll, some the most common resolutions include losing weight, eating healthier, saving money, reducing stress, improving relationships … yawn. Do a quick Internet search of the most commonly broken resolutions and you will find the same ambitious goals, set with the hope to improve everyday life.

That’s the problem with resolutions. Everyday life has a way of distracting you from such improvements as you concentrate on the demands of simply getting through each day. The days fly by and those grand ambitions inspired by your New Year’s resolve are pushed aside. That’s why gyms are overrun in January and back to normal by the end of February.

For a better success rate, why not set aside everyday life and make a New Year’s resolution to focus on improving your game? Lose weight and reduce stress by getting in shape to ski or snowboard – and ski and snowboard more. Eat healthier and save money simultaneously with a brown bag, instead of paying a premium for a slopeside burger. See how easy it is? Here are a few more ideas:

Get a tune up. If your skiing or riding feels second nature, it could be time for a lesson. Even Tiger Woods has a swing coach. Over time we all get lazy and sloppy, reinforcing bad habits. Refresh your technique instead with a little feedback and some helpful tips that help turn up your enjoyment a few notches.

Change your scenery. Sliding on unfamiliar terrain is another great way to improve. Every time I ski Mount Spokane I see the same guy hitting Two Face over and over again, all day long. It can be a challenging run and he always looks pretty good, but his muscle memory needs to be tested somewhere else. It’s a good thing we have so many other options, so close by.

Invest in adventure. What’s on your bucket list? Heli-skiing in Alaska or an August trip to the slopes in Argentina don’t have to be impossible dreams. Throw your pocket change in a jar every day, or stuff 10 bucks in your mattress every week. To quote the Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Get happy feet. Getting your boots fitted could be the single most important thing you do to improve your performance and amp up your enjoyment. Skis, boards and apparel get all the attention, but your feet are your interface with the snow. A professional boot fitter has probably seen feet weirder than yours and knows how to maximize your comfort and control.

Lose the ear buds. I’ve enjoyed many interesting conversations, and made new friends, riding chairlifts with strangers. Instead of withdrawing into your soundtrack, conduct a 10-minute interview with someone you may never see again – unless you join them for the next run. Everybody has a story to tell, even you. It’s unlikely your facts will be checked and a little creative license adds entertainment value. Chairlift fish tales are a time-honored tradition.

Give back. Show a friend or relative why you love skiing or snowboarding so much. Invite them to join you, help them set up a lesson and spend a day of quality time with them. It’s good to be reminded of what it was like for you the first time, and to remember the people who showed you the way.

Take it easy. If you’re like I am, sometimes you get a little too excited when you’re going after first tracks on fresh powder. It starts behind the wheel with a risky mad dash over the pass in a race with dozens of other obsessive-compulsive powder hounds. You can’t win if you end up in a ditch, or worse. And if your buddy holds you up because he left his goggles in the car, or someone steals your line, just let it go. We’re doing this because it’s fun.