How to Stick to a Resolution

You know in the long run you'll be happier if you stick to your resolution but in the short run it's so tempting to break it! Here are a few tips to help you stick with it.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A calender and a journal will both be helpful.

1. 
    

   Put time in your schedule far in advance and make sure it's enough time. If it's a resolution to start doing something count up how much time this would take. If it's a resolution to stop doing something you might want to schedule in time to talk with someone about staying on track, to vent your frustrations with the process, or to journal about it. You may also want to schedule in time you will spend rewarding yourself with fun activities or assessing how it's going and fine tuning your strategy to maintain willpower.

2. Don't lose patience with yourself if you slip up a few times. Just keep at it instead of dwelling on guilt or frustration with yourself. This is not productive. Instead just keep trying.

3. Along the process continually reevaluate what makes your resolution easier or more difficult to follow. Steer clear of the things that tempt you to break your resolution. Forcing yourself to stay around these things or people and maintain willpower, especially when you first start out on your resolution, may be self sabotage.

4. Really take credit for your successful days. Don't think "This is something I should already have been able to do long ago so what if I've accomplished it now?" If it took hard work or a lot of willpower give yourself credit for that. This will help give you motivation to continue.

5. Is there someone else who you can partner with in this resolution? They don't even have to have the same resolution. It can still help if you continually check in with each other on how each others resolutions are going. Give each other encouragement and someone to call when it's not going well. You can also reward yourselves and celebrate accomplishments together.

6. 
    

   Keep a log of how you're doing and what's influencing your ability to stay on track, positively or negatively. Review this from time to time. Also use it to vent your frustrations.

7. Research the specifics of your resolution. What is it that you're trying to start doing or stop doing? There may be resources in your community like groups. There may also be books on the specific subject. Try amazon or similar sites. Local bookstores can't house nearly as many titles so they don't tend to have books on topics as narrow as the one you may be looking for.

8. Finally, keep in mind that this article is intended to help you with general resolutions like the type you would make at New Years or on a birthday. If you're dealing with a life threatening issue or behavior pattern like an addiction you need to seek out professional help rather than a how to article. Good luck with your resolution!

[YourFutureBoss]

on 10/28/2009 Great Plans. 5 stars and recommended.

[ccard123]

on 10/28/2009 This is a very thorough and thoughtful article with great tips for sticking to your resolutions. Thanks for posting! 5* and recommended.