another year of resolutions. but this year will be different!

STEPS TO ACCOMPLISHING

YOUR

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

THIS YEAR

25

The beginning of a new year makes us think

of new possibilities, new choices and new

hope for the future. That is why we tend to

think about lifestyle changes in the New

Year. But, did you know that fewer than 10%

of people make it to the end of the year still

working on their resolutions. Here are a few

tips to help you actually keep the resolutions

you have made for this year...

So now what?

The egg-nog-fog has lifted, and you would actually like for this year to be different.

You made a few resolutions, but they are already falling apart.

1.Stop beating yourself up!!2.Take a deep breath

3.Start over; but this time with a plan

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETIE.Use the KISS method to ensure that you don’t get carried away by setting a resolution you have no hope of fulfilling. Simplify your resolutions to ensure you can achieve them.

2. Be choosy.Agreeing to a New Year’s Resolution just because you feel you should is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, choose to change something you really desire to change and your chances for success are much greater.

3. Be realistic.Sure, you may want to lose 25 pounds in a week, but besides being unhealthy, it’s utterly unrealistic. Instead, set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish within the time frame.

4. Broadcast your plans.Tell friends and family about your New Year’s Resolution, don’t try to keep it to yourself. Letting others know your plans firms up your decision in your own mind and helps you stay accountable.

5. Educate yourself.Learn how others have successfully made the change you desire. Doing so will help you avoid pitfalls and build realistic expectations.

6. Avoid the same old resolutions.If you’ve resolved to lose 10 pounds year after year, it may be time to set a different resolution. Instead, resolve to exercise three times a week. This will accomplish the same results, but it frames your lifestyle change in a different light.

7. Break your resolution into achievable tasks.Rather than focusing on one huge life-altering change, opt for smaller, more manageable changes that you can track and accomplish more easily.

8. Create a plan of action.Once you know the steps you need to take to fulfill your resolution, decide what you’ll do first, then do it! Plan each step in advance so you’ll know how to proceed as you reach each small goal.

9. Don’t expect overnight results.It takes time to develop habits and behaviors, and it can take even longer to change them. Be patient with yourself and expect gradual, rather than immediate, results.

10. Don’t stress yourself out!Change, even good change, can be stressful. We’re creatures of comfort and stepping out of our comfort zones can create stress and anxiety. Strive to disallow stress from getting the best of you.

11. Find an accountability partner.It’s important to have someone who will hold you accountable for your actions. Ask a friend or family member to help you stay on track.

12. Garner support from others.There are support groups available for almost any desired behavior change. Search for one in your community to help you reach your goals.

13. Let your enthusiasm show!Look at the changes you’re making as an adventure, rather than drudgery. Get excited about how you’ll feel when you’ve reached your goal. The journey can be as much fun as the destination!

14. Look at both the pros and cons of your decision.Be prepared for both the positive and negative outcomes of your decision so there are no surprises.

15. Be prepared for setbacks.There will be days when your good intentions fly out the window and you return to old habits. All is not lost! It’s just like riding a horse: When you fall off, get back up and trudge on.

16. Prepare in advance.Give your subconscious time to adjust to the change so it doesn’t come as such a shock to your system. You’re more likely to succeed when you prepare in advance.

17. Reward yourself!Look for ways to reward yourself after every step is reached. It’ll build momentum because you’ll be looking forward to the next reward.

18. Set a deadline.As with any goal, it’s important to have a timeframe in mind. Give yourself plenty of time to realistically reach your goal, but plan for a specific end date to work toward.

19. Set a limit.It’s best to work on just one or two resolutions at a time. You’ll be able to focus your efforts without feeling overwhelmed with too much to do.

20. Track your progress.This works especially well when you split your resolution into small, manageable tasks. Create a chart of your progress so you can see exactly how far you’ve come with each step you’ve taken.

21. Use positive self-talk.Tell yourself that you can achieve your goals and that you will succeed regardless of setbacks. When you do this, you’ll begin to both consciously and subconsciously believe in yourself.

22. Write Out your resolutions.Writing your goals and desires on paper has a strong affect on your psyche. It firms up your intentions and helps you focus more clearly. Take the time to write down your goals, step-by-step, to best achieve your resolutions.

23. Visualize the results.Imagine yourself after you’ve achieve your goal. What do you look like? How do you feel? Spend a few minutes every day visualizing your success and you’ll be amazed at how much quicker and easier your goals will be to accomplish!

24. Make the choice.You’ve talked about the change. You’ve made the resolution. Now firmly decide that will you stick with it — even when it’s not comfortable or convenient. You can do it if you choose to!

25. Hang in there. never give up!The going may, indeed, get tough. You may have discouraging days. You may feel like quitting. But if you’ve made the conscious decision to change, keep plugging away!

By putting these strategies into practice,

you’ll give yourself a chance at a great

start to a wonderful new year.

May your new year be filled with

happiness, love, and the change you

desire!

Additional Resources1. Begin…

2. Setting Intentions: How to make this year different

3. THREE WORDS to bind the year: 20144. Positive strategies to ring in the New

Year5. Musings + Affirmations: I safely say

farewell to one year and look forward to another.

6. New Year’s Revolution

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called

Opportunity and its first chapter is (was) New Year's

Day.“

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Thank You