A new year brings new possibilities, new choices and new hope for the future. That’s why we tend to think about lifestyle changes in the New Year. Here are some tips to help you actually keep your New Years Resolutions you make this year…

 1. KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETIE.

Apply the KISS principle so you don’t get carried away with setting down a resolution you have no chance of fulfilling. Keep your resolutions simple so you can achieve them.

2. Be choosy

Agreeing to a New Year’s Resolution just because someone told you that you should is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, think about what you really want to change and your chances for success are much greater.

3. Set realistic goals

Sure, you want to lose 25 pounds in a week, but it is an unrealistic expectation. Realistically look at what you can actually strive to achieve within the timeframe and set these milestones in place.

4. Tell People Your plans

Tell friends and family about your New Year’s Resolution. Broadcast your plans and goals to others as a way of helping firm up your decisions in your own mind. Doing so tends to help you stay accountable too.

5. Educate yourself

Talk to others and research in order to learn how others have successfully made the change you desire. This will help you to avoid pitfalls and build realistic expectations.

6. Avoid the same ol’ resolutions

If you’ve resolved to lose 10 pounds year after year, well I would say it’s high time you made a different resolution. Instead, maybe make a decision to exercise three times a week. This may well help you accomplish the same results, but it frames your lifestyle change a little differently.

7. Break your resolution into achievable tasks

Rather than focusing on one big life-altering change, choose to focus on r smaller, more attainable changes that you can track and accomplish more easily.

8. Develop Your action plan

Once you have determined the steps you need to take to fulfill your resolution, decide your plan of attack, what it is you will do first. Then do it!

9. Don’t expect overnight results

Habits and behaviors take at least 30 days to form, so you must be patient and expect gradual, rather than immediate, results.

10. Don’t get stressed!

Change, even when for the better, can be stressful. We are all creatures of habit and stepping out of our comfort zones can create anxiety, so try not to allow stress to get the better of you.

11. Find an accountability partner

Having a friend or family member who will hold you accountable for your actions is vital. Ask someone you trust if they will support you to stay on track.

12. Obtain support from others

It doesn’t matter what change you wish to make there will undoubtedly be a support group to support it.  Search for one in your community to help you reach your goals.

 13. Let your enthusiasm show!

Look at the changes you’re making as an adventure, and approach with enthusiasm and zest. Visualize how you will feel when you’ve reached your goal. The journey can be as much fun as the destination!

 14. Look at the pros and cons of your decision

Be prepared for both the positive and negative outcomes of your decision so there are no surprises.

 15. Be prepared for setbacks

Honestly there will be days when your good intentions fly out the window and you return to old habits. Don’t give up!   It’s like riding a horse, when you fall, get back on the horse again and keep going.

 16. Prepare in advance

Give your subconscious sufficient time to adjust to the change so it doesn’t come as such a shock to your system. You’re more likely to succeed when you prepare in advance.

 17. Reward yourself!

Look for appropriate ways to reward yourself after every milestone is achieved. This will build momentum because you will be looking forward to the next reward.

 18. Set a deadline

Set yourself a timeframe in which to achieve your desired goal.

Give yourself plenty of time to realistically reach your goal, but plan for a specific end date to work toward.

 19. Set a limit

Too often we make too many New Year’s Resolutions that we have no hope of achieving. Just work on one or two resolutions at a time. This will help you to focus without feeling overwhelmed.

 20. Track your progress

This works especially well when you split your resolution into small, manageable tasks. Create a chart of your progress so you can see exactly how far you’ve come with each step you’ve taken.

21. Use positive self-talk

Tell yourself that you can achieve your goals and that you will succeed regardless of setbacks. When you do this, you’ll begin to both consciously and subconsciously believe in yourself.

 22. Write Out your resolutions

Writing your goals and desires on paper has a strong affect on your psyche. It firms up your intentions and helps you focus more clearly. Take the time to write down your goals, step-by-step, to best achieve your resolutions.

 23. Visualize the results

Imagine yourself after you’ve achieve your goal. What do you look like? How do you feel ? Spend a few minutes every day visualizing your success and you’ll be amazed at how much quicker and easier your goals will be to accomplish!

 24. Make the choice

You’ve talked about the change. You’ve made the resolution. Now firmly decide that will you stick with it —even when it’s not comfortable or convenient. You can do it if you choose to!

 25. Hang in there. never give up!

The going may, indeed, get tough. You may have discouraging days. You may feel like quitting. But if you’ve made the conscious decision to change, keep plugging away!

 By applying these strategies to your New Years Resolution, you will give yourself a great start to a wonderful New Year. May your New Year be filled with happiness, love, and the change you desire!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 8:07 am and is filed under Goals and Goal Setting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.