The New Year is on its way, so you can start making plans and setting goals. This is the best time to reflect on your past year’s behavior and make lifestyle changes. Be realistic and down to earth. If your list of resolutions is just as long as your holiday shopping list, you’ll probably fail. This is exactly why only 12 percent of people achieve their resolutions in the New Year.
Here are some tips for setting realistic, attainable goals and carrying out life changes:
Keep a Resolutions Chart
List your New Year’s resolutions on a piece of paper. This method is old school, but it really works. Eventually, you can write down on your goals on sticky notes and put them on your mirror, office desk, or refrigerator. This will boost your motivation and remind you why you’re working so hard.
Plan Ahead
Make a plan for keeping your resolutions. Do it today – don’t wait until New Year’s Eve. Start early and plan everything ahead. Take your goals seriously and set deadlines for reaching them. Prepare coping strategies to deal with problems that will come up.
Involve Friends and Family
Whether your goal is to lose weight, change careers, or buy a house, let your friends know about it. Get them involved in the process and share your plans. They can support your efforts and come up with solutions you’ve never thought of.
Have Patience
Be patient and do one thing at a time. If you have a big goal, such as moving to another city or starting your own business, break it into smaller goals. Review your plan and make adjustments along the way. Your objectives should be well defined and time bound. Rather than saying “I want to slim down,” determine how many pounds, exactly, you want to lose. Apply the same strategy when setting career or family goals.
