Making New Year’s resolutions is as easy as rolling off a log. Keeping them, however is an entirely different matter. Here are facts: 45% of Americans make some kind of New Year’s resolution, yet 40% of them give up on a resolution before the end of January.
Here are some tips to help you keep your promises this year:
- Be reasonable. Losing weight is a common New Year’s resolution. Set up specific and realistic goals that fit with you and your lifestyle. On the contrary, saying “I’m never using my credit card again” makes absolutely no sense.
- Limit your goals. Stay laser focused to ensure that goals are met. Concentrate on the important ones first and be sure they are something you really want. You multitask enough in your daily life.
- Be specific. Saying that you will “exercise more” is much less effective than “going to the gym 3x weekly at 5:30pm.”
- Include and reward milestones. Getting to the end is easier if you acknowledge success along the way. Reward small acts of will. For every 2 lbs. of weight loss, give yourself a couple of iTunes.
- Work with friends. Anyone else you know have a similar goal? Working within a social atmosphere makes any resolution easier to achieve. It’s all about accountability.
- Check off boxes. Nothing beats a list for getting things done. There is something satisfying about crossing items off a list or checking off boxes.
- Include something fun. Not all resolutions should be hard work. Resolve to reconnect with friends and unwind regularly.
- Avoid temptation. If your goal is to give up sweets, then don’t have them around the house.
- Forgive yourself. Fell off the wagon? Climb back in. And welcome to humanity
- Think sustainably. Make changes that you will keep for the long term. If you change your diet to lose weight, make those changes permanent.
