It's very easy to make New Year's resolutions in
the heat of enthusiasm and glowing joy but most
of us are more familiar with the difficulty of
sticking to the resolutions! Is it possible but
it does take focus, planning, and a determination
to stick with the resolutions for the same amount
of time it takes to change a habit, so that the
resolutions also turn into new habits. Before you
plan to forget what you've resolved to change,
implement the following suggestions.
!! Steps !!
* Realize that New Year's day is just another
day and that making resolutions on this day is no different from
making a resolution on any other day. While it's a convenient time
because it's a new year and therefore feels like a new beginning
[1], placing too much emphasis on it being a brand new start of
the day your whole life is going to change is unrealistic. Think
of the occasion more as a catalyst for change and a jumping-off
point.
Break through the lethargy by choosing the right resolutions to
begin withPinpoint your most realistic resolutions. Review the
different areas in your life and think about what is working as
well as what isn\'t. Instead of picking the same old resolutions
that you can never seem to keep, like losing weight [2], giving
up smoking or winning an award, choose an area that you know
needs improvement rather than a radical change. Think long term
and make sure it's something you can realistically see
happening. And reduce the amount of resolutions you make –
hone down that list of 10 resolutions to just one or two, or be
prepared to approach your resolutions one after another rather
than all at once.
* For instance, perhaps you don't see enough of your friends or you
never ring your mum. Working on these seemingly simple things may
be more rewarding in the long run.
* Longer term goals such as learning a new language [3] or
controlling your temper are also fine but they must be broken down
into chunks so that you don't have unrealistic expectations and
then give up too easily.
* Writing helps the message to sink inWrite down your
resolutions. Once you have decided on your achievable resolutions,
write them down. You could even make a contract with yourself
stating what you will set out to do and sign it to make it
official. Writing [4] down the resolutions creates a greater
connection between your thinking self and your doing self and
makes the resolution appear more real than if you simply think it
in your head.
Start with small resolutions, like flossingFocus on one change
at a time. Rather than trying to have several large changes
underway at once, such as trying to lose weight, quit smoking,
and increase your exercise regime, break the changes down into
smaller lots and focus on one single resolution at a time. Your
focus and energies won't be spread too thinly this way and you
can give the single resolution all of your attention.
* Break down each change into smaller steps and make the first step
incredibly easy. For example, if you want to start flossing [5],
the first step can be to locate the floss in the supermarket.
* Find routine [6] trigger points during your day for implementing
your resolution. For example, when you're eating a meal, brushing
your teeth, putting out the pets, etc. Choose times that provide
natural triggers for doing whatever it is your resolution is about
an tack the resolution behavior onto the existing habit.
* Use positive [7] language rather than
negative demands when thinking about doing your resolution. For
example, rather than thinking "I can't be bothered going to the
gym", think "I always feel so much better for going to the gym and
I love that feeling." Highlighting the benefit to you is far more
motivating than focusing on the negatives and self-deprecation for
not doing it as expected.
Take baby steps...Make the change a gradual one. A resolution is
unlikely to be enduring if you implement it in its totality the
first day. Giving up your favorite daily treats cold turkey will
probably cause you to think about them endlessly and finally
give in to resuming eating them. Instead, slowly wean yourself
off the treats by eating less of them each week, until you are
no longer including them in your daily eating regime.
* Give yourself plenty of time to make the change. At least 21 days
of pursuing a new habit are needed to break the old habit [8], and
a good period of time to set a new resolution in place is around
two months, after which time it should feel much easier to meet
your resolution.
Tell your friends what you\'ve got plannedGet some support. Tell
a friend or your loved ones whom you trust about your
resolution. They will provide you with support [9] and keep you
focused on your goal. And if you are wavering at all, their
support will ensure you don't give up, just in case you feel
like a quitter.
* Consider joining an online support group for specific resolutions
such as losing weight, giving up chocolate [10], or training for
the next marathon [11]. Having people you can talk to at any time
of day or night can be an enormous source of instant support,
especially if the people are going through the same experiences
and concerns as you. In turn, be sure to help boost other people's
resolutions!
* Measure your progressReview your progress. Break your
resolution down into stages so you can track your progress. Look
back after a couple of months and see what you\'re doing right.
Try to fix anything that you\'re doing wrong. For instance, if
your resolution was to go to the gym [12] three evenings a week,
perhaps you haven't been sticking to it because you always work
late. Try going in the mornings instead. Making a minor adjustment
could be the key to success.
* Tackle the next slightly harder resolutionBuild on your
resolutions. When you\'re doing well at keeping your resolution,
you may discover that you are feeling better about other areas of
your life too. Going to the gym may lead you to cut out smoking
too. Similarly, if you have given up something as part of your
resolution, try to find a pleasant and diversionary substitute to
keep your mind occupied. Quitting smoking [13] may encourage you
to exercise more.
Reward yourself now and thenCelebrate. Remember to celebrate
your successes, but make sure the way you celebrate doesn't go
against your resolution. If you cut down on drinking alcohol,
clearly it's best not to reward yourself with a glass of wine.
Instead, treat yourself to those shoes you've had your eye on,
or tickets to a play you've been dying to see. You deserve it!
* Keep going. Why stop now when you've done this well? Extend the
timeline of your resolution and work it into your everyday
routine. By next year, you'll be more than ready to face your next
challenge.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Don't give up. If sometimes you fall off the rails, it doesn't
mean it's over. Just get back up, brush yourself off and start
again! One slip up now and then is always redeemable; return to
the original plan and forgive yourself.
* Remind yourself every morning of your goal or goals.
* Make sure your resolution is sensible and do-able.
!! Warnings !!
* Don't do things too drastically, or you're likely to give up.
* Whenever your resolution involves your personal health, speak with
a doctor to ensure that your new plan is right for you (for
example, weight loss, exercise changes, getting cosmetic surgery,
etc.).
* Avoid berating yourself for slipping up on a resolution; it's hard
enough without beating up on yourself.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Pen and paper to write down goals
* Small rewards
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Keep a Life Changing Resolution [14]
* How to Accomplish Your New Year\'s Resolutions [15]
* How to Make Summer Resolutions [16]
* How to Stick to a Lenten Fast or Resolution [17]
* How to Set Goals [18]
!! Sources And Citations !!
* Partial source of article, Videojug, How to Stick to a New Year's
Resolution,
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-stick-to-a-new-years-resolution
[19]. Shared with permission.
* Partial source of article, Leo Babauta, The definitive guide to
sticking to your New Year's resolutions,
http://zenhabits.net/the-definitive-guide-to-sticking-to-your-new-years-resolutions/
[20]. Copyright-free source.
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
* Discuss
Links:
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[1] http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Prominent-New-Business
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Dog-on-treadmill.jpg
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Category:World-Languages
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Writingemdown.jpg
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Floss
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Establish-an-Effective-Skincare-Routine
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Positive
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-Habit
[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Let-me-tell-you%2C-my-best-friend....jpg
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-a-Chocolate-Addiction
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Ready-for-a-Marathon
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Measuring-time.jpg
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Why-have-you-abandoned-us-.jpg
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Life-Changing-Resolution
[15] http://www.wikihow.com/Accomplish-Your-New-Year%27s-Resolutions
[16] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Summer-Resolutions
[17] http://www.wikihow.com/Stick-to-a-Lenten-Fast-or-Resolution
[18] http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Goals
[19] http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-stick-to-a-new-years-resolution
[20] http://zenhabits.net/the-definitive-guide-to-sticking-to-your-new-years-resolutions/
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