How to Avoid Breaking New Year's Resolutions

It is fifteen minutes into the new year and you already broke your resolution to stop swearing when you stubbed your big toe on the way to bed. Now, your toe hurts so much that you're going to sneak into the bathroom to break your resolution to stop smoking. How can you avoid breaking New Year's resolutions?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Set yourself up for resolution success by making a game plan when you make your resolution. For example, if you want to stop smoking, don't just decide you're going to quit cold turkey on New Year's day and move on to other tasks. Instead, make an appointment to see your doctor, throw out any cigarettes that are laying around the house, make plans to avoid hanging out with friends who are smokers in places where smoking is permissable and begin praying for strength to overcome your nicotine addiction.

2. Next, create a penalty/reward system to encourage yourself to keep going if you fall off your resolution wagon. For example, if you're trying to stop swearing, put a dollar into a donation jar every time you slip up and take a few moments to ask God to give you strength to overcome your habit. When you're in a situation where you would normally swear and you avoid doing so, eat a chocolate, give yourself a gold star or do a victory dance.

3. If you still feel your resolve slipping, get together with a friend to create a New Year's resolution accountability team. You'll need to report your progress to each other each day and then pray with each other for the strength and courage to overcome old habits and have a new, healthier lifestyle.

[Kallicat]

on 12/26/2008 Very timely advice. I find that if you write your goals down, sometimes it helps to achieve them.