For many of us the resolutions we make on New Year’s Day become a thing of the past by January 15. There are a few simple steps we can take to keep our resolution(s) alive.
1. Be Specific
Too often we resolve to develop a grand, amorphous plan—like “spend more time with my kid” or “get in shape.” The problem here is that the goal is so vague that we have no direction so quickly we lose our ambition.
By being specific we answer the questions, “What does it look like? What would I see?” With respect to the two examples noted above, better resolutions would be: “I will read a bed-time story to my child at least four times a week for the month of January” or “by January 4th I will join a gym and sign up with a trainer to complete eight training sessions by February 15.”
2. Take Small Steps—“Babysteps”
Keep the steps simple and small—and achievable. Be proud of your small accomplishments because several small steps lead to a major change. A pound lost per week is 4 pounds per month which is nearly 50 pounds in a year.
3. Make Your Commitment Known
Write down your specific resolution on index cards and tape them on your bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinet, and dashboard in your car. Remind yourself frequently of your objective. Tell your family members and your friends of your goals, as well.
4. Set Your Reward
Regularly assess your progress. For example, when you have read to your child four times a week for three consecutive weeks reward yourself by taking your child out to dinner, or to a movie, or a ball game, etc. By the same token, if you met your goal of eight training sessions, reward yourself with a new workout outfit.
5. Continue to Re-evaluate
Adjust your goals and rewards as you progress and hopefully reach your objective(s).
With these basic steps the odds of realizing and maintaining your resolutions are much increased. Your resolutions can become healthy habits.
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