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Step 1
Resolutions exist to help us improve ourselves and our quality of life, but it takes time and patience to establish a new habit. In fact, it's been proven that it takes approximately 21 days to make a change in your daily life. So with this in mind, it's best to only make one resolution at a time so that you can stay focused and not become overwhelmed by too many changes at once.
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Step 2
Write down your New Year's resolution on sticky notes and post it in visible places you frequent. Post it up on your bathroom mirror, computer monitor, refrigerator and kitchen cupboards, your car dashboard or rear-view mirror, on your desk at work, on the background of your cell phone, on a bookmark in your book and so on. The more often you see it, the easier it will be to keep the resolution in mind.
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Step 3
Be specific about not only what you want to change, but what you stand to gain in the process. For example "I want to lose 25 pounds by June so I can fit into a bikini" or "I want to save $500 by May to pay for a new computer."
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Step 4
Don't set yourself up for failure. If you want to lose weight or stop smoking, get rid of fattening and sugary treats and cigarettes and keep them out of your house, car, office or anywhere you spend a lot of time at. Avoid restaurants and bars if you even think you might be tempted.
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Step 5
Get your friends and family involved. Having a supportive group of people around you will keep you encouraged and help hold you accountable for your actions. You may be less likely to cheat or give up on your resolution if you know others are waiting to see the results.
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Step 6
Last but not least, if you slip up or give into temptation, don't beat yourself up. You probably will be tempted at some point and you may not be able to resist all the time, but don't give up. Jump back onto the horse and put your resolution into action!
