How to Succeed with Those New Year’s Resolutions

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How to Succeed with Those New Year’s Resolutions

Like most of us, in January you make New Year’s resolutions, only by the next few weeks you go back to the same old previous behaviors. In spite of the best of intentions, sticking to those resolutions can be tough and overwhelming. As a matter of fact, the majority of New Year’s resolutions will be abandoned within just a few months. This can be discouraging. Let’s look at some of the reasons and how you can change the outcome.

  1. Goal may be too general. You may have made a goal that was too general and not specific enough.
  2. Life gets in the way. Daily responsibilities can sidetrack you and force you into addressing those immediate demands.
  3. Overcoming natural resistance. Your mind has a natural propensity to reinforce sameness and resist change.
  4. Initial motivation dissipates. Initial excitement of committing to a goal, may be replaced by repetition that does not bring immediate results.

Well, don’t lose heart, the following are strategies that can give you a greater chance for success.

  1.  Envision daily your goal. Keep the end result you want to accomplish in your mind daily.
  2.  Write down your goal. Studies have proven that those who write down their goals accomplish significantly more than those who do not.
  3. Keep your goal simple. This will make it easier to accomplish without overloading yourself and setting yourself up for failure.
  4. Create building blocks. Break down your goal into small steps that will move you closer each day toward your overall goal.
  5. Create a routine. The brain loves routine and resists the unfamiliar. So, if you can set aside, even a few minutes a day to work on your goal can be helpful.
  6. Reward yourself.  Each day that you accomplish your goal or subgoal, reward yourself with something that pleases you.
  7. Validate yourself. The road to change has its ups and downs. Recognize and self-affirm even the smallest accomplishments.

Don’t let a lingering self-doubt or past disappointments keep you from making a New Year’s resolution.  A new beginning can motivate you to give it another try. It’s important however, to choose the right goal and develop a game plan that works for you. It is most important to remember not to be hard on yourself if you experience setbacks. It’s not a failure or laziness but merely a call to readjust and start anew. Remember to always keep your end goal in mind.