How to Accomplish Your New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are goals or promises that people make for the New Year holiday to try to make their upcoming year better. Many find it difficult to maintain & accomplish their resolutions. Here is a list of things you can do to help make sure you accomplish the goals you set for the New Year.

1.      Brainstorm about changes & improvements you'd like to make. These can be about anything, not just the big ones like quitting smoking & losing weight that many people associate with New Year's resolutions. Jot down some notes while doing the following:

·         Consider how you can improve your health, your relationships with others, your work life, and your work life.

2.      Choose one or two attainable larger goals. Look over your notes & determine what items on it are most important to you.

3.      Create “systems.” Systems are the ways that you carry out a larger goal. You need to break down large goals into smaller actions that can are easier to carry out. If you leave your larger goals too vague, you may get confused & change your mind frequently on the ways to accomplish them.

4.      Talk to others about your goals. Discuss your goals & why you made them with your family & friends.

·         Ask for others’ support on these goals throughout the year. If possible, team up & visit the gym or ask them to speak up if you slip.

·         People who tell others about their goals are more likely to accomplish them, because they have extra support they need, or because they’re afraid of being embarrassed if they don’t accomplish them.

5.      Create a schedule. Even more important than a specific deadline for your goals is to set a schedule of how you will reach the goal

6.      Start following your plan immediately. Don't wait for inspiration to strike. The best thing to do is start on January 1st & start tracking your progress.

·         If your goal is to lose weight, don’t say, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Start right away!

7.      Create accountability. Find someone who has the same resolution. If you have a friend who’s also trying to lose weight, check in with each other & motivate each other.

8.      Remind yourself about your goals. For every day on your calendar or schedule, write down what you will do for that day, what time you will do it, & don't forget to actually do it, no matter how busy you are

9.      Create your environment so that you will accomplish your goals. It’s also good to get rid of habits that don’t coincide with your goals & may contribute to you being unable to reach them

·         For example, set your running shoes next to the door. Put fruits & veggies in the front of the fridge. Get rid of the junk food & don’t buy more.