How to Keep a New Year's Resolution

New Year's, for most of us, is a time to reflect on our past and look forward to our future. It's also a time when people make a resolution to improve some aspect of their life. Making these commitments is the easy part. It's trying to keep them that becomes the challenge. Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking or pay off debt, making lifestyle changes isn't easy. But there are some things you can do to help keep yourself on track.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Set the right goal. Too often when making a New Year's resolution, the bar is set so high we're doomed to fail from the start. Keep your goals realistic and attainable. You can even set several small goals rather than one big one. Then, as you achieve each goal, reward yourself.

2. Make your resolution something you want, not what someone else wants. If you're not doing this for yourself, you won't succeed because your heart won't be in it.

3. Prepare for the change ahead of time. Lifestyle changes take time and sometimes require education. If you want to change your diet, you need to read up on nutrition. To start an exercise program you should first talk to your doctor. Getting yourself out of debt may take the help of a financial counselor.

4. Focus on your goal and don't allow distractions to derail you.

5. Find a friend with a similar resolution to work with you. Working with another person or group to attain goals gives you a support system. You will also be more likely to stick to your plan if there are others helping you hold yourself accountable.

6. Know that it's OK to fail and don't beat yourself up over it. If you aren't able to keep your resolution, try to figure out where you went wrong and start again. But do it right away rather than wait until next New Year's Eve.

Resources

• Visit healthyminds.org for more tips on how to keep a New Year's resolution.

[opalpearl3]

on 1/2/2009 Great article.