New Year Resolutions: How to Stick To Them

New Year resolutions are promises we make to ourselves. The bad kind. The kind we break and don’t even feel too guilty about.

Exactly HOW do you get these things to work?

1. Keep it Real
   Okay so it’s a new year but that doesn’t automatically mean miracles are waiting to happen. Instead of creating unrealistic expectations, let’s concentrate on something we can achieve. So if your resolution is to travel the world, give it a serious thought. Can you travel the world this year? Will you have enough time off or do you have the finances? If you see it as a definite possibility, that’s great; otherwise concentrate your efforts on something that’s more real and you’re more likely to stick to your resolution.

2. Be Specific
   Instead of keeping your resolutions vague; write them down every last detail. Say you want to lose weight this year. Work out the nuts and bolts of how many kgs, by when, what sort of activity will help you achieve this etc. When you have the details worked out, it’s much easier to stick to a plan.
   
   
3. One Step At a Time
   Don’t try to do too much too quick. So if you want to get fit, quit smoking; find a better job and save money – think about which one you want the most and start by working on that first and then keep moving down the list. Trying to do everything together might be too overwhelming and you could end up just giving up!

4. The Progress Report
   Keep a report of the progress you make. For example, if getting the ciggies out of the way is the goal this year, keep a diary of how many you smoke everyday. When you start keeping track, you start working hard to make those figures look better.

5. Get Others Involved
   You and a friend could have the same goal so making the same resolution and you could motivate each other to keep at it. If that’s not possible, at least tell someone else about your plans. That way, they can be supportive and encourage you too.

Okay, so now that you know what to do, here are some ideas on what you could be ‘resolute’ about.

1. Find Love
2. Spend Time With Family
3. Quit Smoking
4. Drink Less
5. Lose Weight / Get Fit
6. Enjoy Life More
7. Get Out of Debt / Save Money
8. Find a New Job
9. Get a Better Education
10. Buy a House
11. Take a Break
12. Eat Right
13. Learn Something New
14. Travel
15. Reduce Stress

I did a little research and these happen to be among the most popular resolutions in Australia and the world!

Now, who wants to tell me what their resolution for 2009 is?

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