Boy, if I had a nickel for every resolution I’ve made throughout the years. Or if I lost a pound for every resolution I’d ever made. As I get older, making the right resolution and sticking with it has gotten somewhat easier. I realize I am never going to be a size 4 again and my chances of being a billionaire is most likely gone. I decided to simply work toward a more realistic happier, healthier life for 2010.
Here are 10 tips for keeping your resolution for the New Year:
- Use a support system. This is critical to any type of change in your life. Someone who keeps you accountable and encourages you when you miss the mark is one way to stop you from quitting completely. Rely on family, friends and coworkers to give you that swift kick when you need it. Join forums and networks to get ongoing support. If you’re resolution includes working online, become an elite member of Lynn Terry’s SelfStartersWeeklyTips group.
- Be specific when making your resolution. Writing down phrases like “Become more confident” is too general and can mean anything. What area of your life do you want to be more confident and with whom? Instead, record something like “Go to my boss and ask for a raise this year.”
- Start with small steps. Those who try to get from A to Z in one step are often disappointed. If this is a weight loss goal, begin with starting an exercise program. If you haven’t worked out in a while, this single piece of a larger goal will take some time to establish. Writing a book begins with a goal of writing a page a day; you can’t realistically sit down and write an entire book in one sitting. Goals that involve cleaning up your entire home can begin with one room and then move on to the others. Tackling a smaller step successfully fuels your drive to continue.
- Look at the big picture. This helps when you are feeling discouraged by disappointment. Don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal or resolution. You can still reach it even with a few setbacks. You’ll just have more to rejoice about later.
- Visualize. See yourself completing your goal. In fact, see yourself completing each step of the journey. Thinking about skipping your workout session today? Visualize yourself in the class and, though tired, you make it through to the end with energy. The mind is a powerful tool that can help or hinder you. And hey, if you’re mind isn’t powerful enough, post pics of what you’d like right on your refrigerator. A trip to Hawaii? A slimmer you? Put it up and see it every day.
- Set a deadline date. Resolutions without a deadline can go on forever. Give yourself a set time frame to keep from floundering in your goal.
- Use online tools. These are popping up everywhere, especially for weight loss resolutions. Many of the online tools are free to use. Sites like SparkPeople offer informative articles, message boards, meal planners, video resources and online food diaries to keep you going from day one.
- Write your resolutions or goals down. Some people only verbalize their resolutions. I see it all too often with friends and family. They don’t write down their goals and within weeks they have already forgotten them. It is scary but putting your resolutions on paper makes them real to you. It is a commitment that is needed if you want to succeed in anything and everything.
- Don’t compare yourself with others. Someone else may have the same resolution to you. They also may seem to be getting farther in their goals than you. Resist the urge to compare yourself. You’ll only end up discouraged. Every person is different and you don’t know what support system or other goal achieving tools they are using. Be happy for them and even ask how they are doing it so well.
- Abandon bad resolutions. There comes a time when some of your resolutions may have to meet the trash heap. It could have been a faulty resolution that wasn’t thought out well in the first place. It doesn’t mean failure. On the contrary, it could be just what you need to help you accomplish the ones that are manageable.
Overall, don’t beat yourself up. We all falter here and there. The important thing is to get back on track. So spill it…what’s your New Years Resolution?
