Through the years I've written many posts regarding New Year Resolutions. In my opinion, this yearly ritual is a set up for failure. They don't work for me, so I try to make incremental changes throughout the year as I deem them necessary.
How about you?
Facebook is buzzing with everyone's New Year Resolutions that will probably be long forgotten in February.
Something I find very amusing . . . the weight loss commercials on television that promptly start after Christmas. Most of them are gone by February!
If you are one of those people who must make resolutions for the new year, I found an article on Real Simple that you may find useful. The link to the entire article can be found at the bottom of this post.
Some tips to help you achieve your goals:
Be Specific
Vague goals won’t work. “You’ve got to develop a specific action plan for change,” says John Norcross, Ph.D., co-author of Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing Your Goals and Resolutions ($25, amazon.com). Map out your strategy before New Year’s arrives.
Make Your Goal Public
Share your decision to change with friends and family who can offer support when you’re wavering and encouragement when you’re doing well at sticking to your resolution. “Public commitments are generally more successful than private decisions,” says Norcross.
Substitute Good Behaviors for “Bad”
Don’t rely on willpower alone to help you change, advises Norcross. That approach won’t work. Instead, build in a healthy behavior that’s incompatible with the one you want to change.
Track Your Progress
Record or chart your changed behavior. “Research indicates that such ‘self-monitoring’ increases the probability of keeping your resolution,” says Norcross.
Ready to make your plan? Here are more specific tips on:
How to save money
How to lose weight
How to reduce stress
How to drink less
How to get in better shape
How to get ahead at work
How to improve your relationships
Happy New Year to everyone and good luck with your resolutions!
To view the entire article, click here.
