We all are prone to say we are going to start the New Year with some resolutions. "Some I-wills and some will-nots". Chances are, at some time in our lives, we have made a New Year resolution and then broken it. This year, stop the cycle of the resolving to make change, but then not following through. If your resolution is to take better care of yourself then do it. It is simple but you may never know. You might achieve a lot of things just taking care of yourself.
Be Realistic - The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal attainable. For instance resolving to never eat your favorite food because it gives you more weight isn't a good resolution. Strive for a goal that is attainable. Chances are you are prone to steal some few bites.
Plan Ahead - Don't make resolutions at the last minute. It will be based on your mindset on that particular day. Instead it should be planned earlier when you are in a good mood so that you would make sound decisions.
Out line your Plan - Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip- or have one more cigarette. You could include a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk or remind yourself how bad habits affect your career or people's impression about you.
Make a 'pro and con' list - it may help you to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it whenever you feel your self running out of track.
Talk about It - Don't keep your resolutions a secret, no matter how personal they are. Tell them to your family and a close friend who will be there for you in true and trying times. They might also help you to keep on track.
Reward Yourself - This doesn't mean that you have to buy a box of chocolate, cake or ice cream like I do. Instead celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. Perhaps your reward can be buying yourself some new shoes or dress, something you will enjoy seeing everyday and remind yourself that it is your reward. That could be a big motivation, don't you think?
Track Your Progress - Keep track of every simple success you make toward reaching your goal. Short-term goals are easier to accomplish and they will help to keep you motivated for your long-term ones.
Don't Beat Yourself Up - Do the best you can, each day you can. Don't obsess yourself over your resolution and don't beat yourself whenever you lose it.
Stick to It - Experts say it takes 21days for a new activity such as exercising to become a habit, and six months for it to become part of your personality. Your new resolutions will become second-nature in time, believe me.
Keep Trying - If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start all over again! There is no way you can't make a new year's resolution anytime of the year. And you know what? That's the sweetest part of it all.
So start working on your resolutions now. See you readers next week and wish you a happy new year.
