New Year’s Resolutions that Stick

Use these ideas to set and achieve your goals this year.  Our tips can help insure you don’t loose steam by February.

Focus – Brainstorm a Master Goal List so you don’t forget all of your goals, but pick one or two to work on at a time. Consider shorter-term goals. For many people, making a resolution for the whole year is too difficult. Focus on re-wording your goal so that you can accomplish (and celebrate) it in parts, as needed. For example, instead of “I will lose 25 pounds this year,” consider, “I will lose 2 pounds each month.”

Work Smarter, not Harder – Each goal you set should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Sensitive. Click here to get the scoop on how to “Make it SMART.”

Stay Positive – Focus on the solution rather than on what you don’t want. The mind thinks in pictures and actions.  When you focus on the image of what you want or imagine yourself doing what needs to be done to achieve your goal, you leverage your brain to help you succeed.  Avoid setting your goal with negative words like don’t, stop or not.  For example, if you set a goal that “I will quit smoking,” it’s hard for your mind to see a picture of NOT smoking. If you set a goal that “I will be a healthy nonsmoker,” you can picture being a nonsmoker, as that’s something you can see – other people who aren’t smoking and are leading an active lifestyle. Create goals or make choices that the mind can visualize.

Picture It – Visualize success. Write a statement about how you’ll feel and how things will look once you’ve achieved your goal. Post pictures or visual reminders in strategic places to keep you on track.

Shout it From the Rooftops (or at least share it with those who will support you, check in with you on your progress and hold you accountable) – When you speak your goal out loud and share it with others, you increase your chances for success. This is a great way to also build a support system and to enlist others in helping you reach your goal.

Celebrate Success– And don’t just wait until the goal is achieved. Celebrate “wins” along the way. Decide ahead of time on some “mini-rewards” so that you’ll have something to look forward to in the short term and the long term. Reaching a goal takes dedication and hard work. You deserve more than a pat on the back.