Make your New Year's resolutions stick by following these simple tips
With the New Year come a slew of resolutions – a list of commitments we vow to observe all throughout the coming year and beyond. However, while our intentions for doing so may be in the best interest of everyone concerned, most of us do not have the strength and the willpower to carry it all the way through. So, how do you create a New Year's resolution [3] that sticks? Here are some useful tips that you may want to consider.
How to Make Your New Year's Resolution Stick
Streamline it. Do not fall into the trap of making too many resolutions since you are only setting yourself up for failure by doing so. Instead, focus your time, energy and motivation on one resolution at a time. That's how you do it right.
Be specific. Aside from focusing on fewer resolutions, you should also set ultra specific goals to help you gauge your performance. Remember to keep your goals SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based).
Monitor your progress. Since you have created some really SMART goals, you can readily check if you are making some progress. You may want to use an online calendar [4] or a plain checklist to gauge your performance or you may want to use some online goal-tracking services such as LifeTick, Goalscape and Joe's Goal, to see how you are doing.
Recruit an "accountability buddy". Increase your chances of living up to your commitments by enlisting the help of an "accountability buddy". Consider asking family members and some of your closest friends to help keep you on track. For all you know, having an accountability buddy is all you need to be able to stick with your resolutions.
Visualize the end result. Let's face it – staying motivated can be quite a challenge. So, if you find yourself straying from your commitments, try visualizing what you will get if you stick to your resolutions. Aren't the results well worth all your efforts?
Make a daily reminder. To reduce the risk of straying from your goals, why don't you remind yourself of your goals every day? Consider writing your goals on the bathroom mirror, make use of your screensaver or paste reminders on your walls.
Start right now. Okay, so you missed the first day of the year. Does it mean that you'll have to wait for another year to make your resolutions? You don't have to. You can start working on your resolutions whenever you like so start taking baby steps right now and you'll soon see the difference it can make.