New Year's Resolutions that you will actually keep!

It’s that time of year when everyone makes resolutions that fade away before even a month is up. So how do you keep those resolutions? There are so many “solutions” out there, but they don’t always work. Here are a few tips to making and keeping your new year’s resolutions.

Keep it simple. Don’t make lofty goals that you cannot accomplish and will only discourage you from going forward. For example, instead of saying that in 2014 you are going to lose 50 pounds, eat only health food, stop eating fast food, quit smoking, turn your business into a multinational corporation, and get married, maybe try for 20 pounds, manage your diet better, improve your company’s sales by 15%, and meet new people. Yes, with some things you are trying to give up, going cold turkey works, but more often than not, it only overwhelms you. Keep your goals realistic, remembering that you don’t have to have a perfect life in only a matter of a year. Take one step at a time.

Set milestones along the way. If you are trying to lose 50 pounds and by the end of January you have only lost 3lbs, it is very easy to get discouraged and give up. Set smaller goals that easier to track and manage. For example, maybe set a goal of losing 5lbs by the end of January. That seems less overwhelming than 50 pounds, right? Looking at the whole picture will often overwhelm you, and make you feel like your effort isn’t paying off. Find smaller goals or milestones that you can meet along the way.

Touch each goal every day. You don’t have to win a marathon. Just simply do one thing towards accomplishing each goal every day. It’s easy to do, but beware it is just as easy not to do. If you are trying to lose weight, exercise for 5-10 minutes every day and be faithful about it. It is better to do 5 minutes every day, than try an hour a day and give up after you have worn yourself out. If you are trying to quit smoking, each week just smoke one less cigarette per day than the last week. Wait an hour and a half between cigarettes instead of just one hour. If you are trying to start or build a successful business, stop stressing the details, and just do one small accomplishment every single day.

Reward yourself. You are always more motivated to work harder if you feel you have accomplished something. Reward yourself for the little everyday victories that bring you towards your goal. If you set a goal of earning your degree, and finished a big essay that you worked hard on for two weeks, reward yourself to a spa day. If you were able to go that extra hour without a cigarette, reward yourself! If you finished getting your LLC for your new business, give yourself that pat on the back. Let yourself know that you are proud of your small accomplishments, and that will lead you to accomplish even more.

Here’s to a healthier, stronger, smarter, and more efficient you in 2014! Happy New Year everyone!