I think it was Solon who said that better than any pact or oath is good habits. Personally I don't make New Year's resolutions or anything like that. Why should we wait until the end of the year (or to the start) to make changes? I've noticed that we usually put these dates to postpone doing what we know we should do, and we just push it away. The best time to start is always now, at least I think so.
The only thing that has worked for me is what you say about "intrinsic motivation", working out for the tiredness sake? Damn no, I would prefer every time to be sleeping or doing many other things. However, I know I need to do it and I mentally force myself to do it, because the only thing that matters to create a habit is perseverance. After a while doing it, it is simply natural.
Start with micro goals and resolutions, and slowly work your way up to macro goals.
Absolutely.
But that's what works for me. Does something else work for you?
Greetings and Happy New Year!
BIG thx for your great comment @vieira. I appreciate it a lot.
I was also wondering how do you handle stress and frustration once you realize that you cannot reach your goals and targets?
I would like to know how to answer that question but I don't know. Especially because I don't have goals or targets, I have only one, and it is life in itself, everything else I do in relation to improving myself, as if I prepared all the time just to live.
Thank you for your comment @vieira