Making … and Keeping … Those New Year’s Resolutions

According to U.S. News, 80% of our New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February. Eighty percent! That means your determination, grit and resolve to make changes at the beginning of the year, goes by the wayside just a few weeks later. While it can be difficult to make lasting lifestyle changes, it’s not impossible! There are ways to continue to stay encouraged and motivated in walking out your resolutions, to bring about the change you desire to see.

 

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

Start small with your resolution. Though losing 50 pounds to fit into that summer bikini may be the ultimate goal, losing 3-5 pounds per month sounds much more manageable. Similarly, finishing your Master’s degree is a great achievement to shoot for, but that only happens one class at a time. So, find a class that works for your schedule. Start with the small stuff.

 

Hone in on a particular area

Losing weight, beefing up your IRA, letting the kids try new activities and adding on a sunroom at the house are exciting endeavors. Doing them all at once, not so exciting. In fact, it can be overwhelming. Focus on an arena where you desire the most change, and zero in on that. Once you achieve that goal, it will encourage you to move forward with others.

 

Reward Yourself

Did you resist ordering fries and order a salad instead? Maybe give yourself some extra relaxation time at home. Did you manage to avoid a shopping spree at your favorite store, and put that money into savings? Allow yourself additional time to do something else that you enjoy. Small rewards incentivize your experience and make you more excited to see what else you can do.

 

Making a resolution is one thing. Seeing it to successful completion is another. You can do it! Start small, work hard, and make it happen!