Keeping Your New Year's Resolution

In my last post we looked at a technique for ensuring that your New Year's resolution is being made at the right time and for the right reasons. In this post we will look at ways of strengthening that resolve.

1. Create a Plan
Setting a goal without taking the time to formulate a plan is just wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have any degree of success it must have clear steps in place that can be put into action. Your plan will tell you:

1) What to do next

2) The steps required to complete the goal.

2. Create Your Plan Right Now
Most people forget their resolutions completely after the first few days of January. In order to to harness your motivation, it is vital that you begin creating your plan immediately. Decide how you will deal with the temptation to have one cigarette or skip that exercise class. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk. (Hypnosis can be a terrific help. Why not purchase my 'Reach Your Goals' audio CD?)

3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan
Once you have formulated a plan it is important to write it down. By committing your resolution and plan to writing in a notebook or journal, you have something tangible to stick to. Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 3 stone,focus on losing that first 5 pounds.

4. Talk about it
Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best way is to find friend or family member who shares your New Year's resolution. You can then motivate each other.

5. This Is for All Year Not Just The Start Of New Year
Nothing huge can be accomplished in one day. Resolutions can be set in a single day, but are accomplished with hundreds of tiny steps that take place throughout the year. New Year's resolutions are merely a starting point. You must develop a consistent habit of revisiting your plan. Don't beat yourself up. Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.

6. Reward yourself Along The Way
Celebrate your success along the way by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. This, of course means that you don't eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, If you've been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, perhaps your reward could be going to a concert or movie with a friend.

5. Stay Flexible
Life has a strange way of throwing unexpected things at us. It's extremely likely that that your plan can and will change. Staying flexibile is paramount in completing anything but the simplest goal. Sometimes the goal itself will even change as you do.