10 Ways To Make New Year Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

It's nearly that time of year again for setting and forgetting your New Year's resolutions. But fewer than 10% of people who set New Year Resolutions actually achieve them. So if you're one of the millions of people who make New
Year Resolutions each year, only to watch them fall by the wayside within the month, and would like to be able to set goals and resolutions that you can actually keep, then don't worry - it may be easier than you think.

First of all, choose your resolutions carefully. Goals should be focused on things that you really want and are prepared to work for, not just things that you think you want or should do.

And set realistic goals so you at least have a chance of being successful. Don't bite off more than you can chew and set yourself up for failure. This year's goals can be part of a longer term goal that you plan to achieve gradually. It doesn't all have to be done now or even this year.

It's also important to write your resolutions down. This has the effect of converting what is just a mere thought in your mind to a concrete decision and commitment. Be very specific about what you want to achieve, and set firm dates for when you are going to achieve your goals.

If you trying to quit a bad habit or start a good one, know and write down why you want to do so. You can reflect on this if you regress or if your motivation is slipping, to motivate yourself to keep going.

But don't try to do too many things at once. Each habit that you want to change has taken a long time to develop and it will take some focused time and effort to change.

It's also important to concentrate on actions YOU can do and have control of, rather than results. Identify what actions you can take to move towards your goal. You can only change your own behavior, not necessarily the results of that behavior. And you definitely can't control the reactions and behaviors of other people.

Let other people know about your resolutions. Change is hard, and it is important to get a support network to encourage you along the way.

Or you could try a coach. A coach is like a personal trainer for your goals. They help you prepare a plan that will be most likely to succeed, will keep you motivated, and will keep your goals in focus even when you get distracted.

And finally, don't give up if you get off track. Just revise your goals and deadlines, and if necessary start again. Many people give up mid-January because they feel like they have already failed and will just be setting themselves up for more set-backs failure if they try again. Be flexible, be nice to yourself, and remember that virtually everyone slips up from time to time, particularly when starting out.

By: Sam Sander

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