1. Make sure you have the right goal. Is it measurable? Is
it realistic?
2. Focus on one or two resolutions at the most – not a list of
ten. Changing a habit is difficult and the more attention you can give it the
better.
3. Make a concrete plan. If your goal is to exercise more,
buy the gym membership or home video and set specific days and times to exercise.
4. Write down your goal and track your progress. Putting
things on paper is powerful. Post your resolution and daily updates on your
refrigerator or bathroom mirror where you can look at them every day.
5. Replace bad habits with good ones. It helps to have a healthy
habit to turn to whenever you have to say no to something. If you’re giving up
soda, make sure you have some great teas or a new water bottle to replace it.
If your resolution is to complain less, write down something you’re thankful
for each time you want to say something negative.
6. Identify the motivation for your resolution. Why do you
want to eat healthier? To have more energy? To live a longer, healthier life? To
be a good example for your children? Knowing the why will help you get through
the tough times.
7. Remember that it won’t be easy. Setting proper
expectations for yourself can help you get over the hurdles you’ll face.
8. Reward yourself. If your resolution is to work on your
novel every day, reward yourself with a new book or a coffee from Starbucks
each month that you write 20 or more days.
9. Visualize success. Envision yourself on December 31, 2013 after you've successfully reached your goal. How will you feel? What would that look like?
10. Don’t be afraid to fail. Resolutions are hard. If you
get off track, get up and try again.
Are you setting New Year’s Resolutions this year? What are
they? How do you plan to stick to them?
I found the best way to stick to New Year's resolutions is not to make any. (-;
ReplyDeleteThat works too. :)
DeleteThese are great tips!
ReplyDeleteI don't make resolutions either but if I did, this advice would be invaluable. :-)
Thanks, Jessica.
DeleteThis coming year, hubby and I are concentrating on our health and well being. The goals aren't outrageous, and we have each other using the tag team method...when one is weak - the other is strong...to help each other out. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Loree. Happy New Year to you too.
Deleteyeah, i think it is important to keep the right goals with realistic ideals. great post and love your blog, julie!! new follower, hi!
ReplyDeleteHi, Tammy. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteExcellent tips, Julie! I really loved this one: 3. Make a concrete plan. If your goal is to exercise more, buy the gym membership or home video and set specific days and times to exercise.
ReplyDeleteI was reading this morning in Daniel. Chapter 1. And it said that Daniel established in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's food. I think making your plan concrete, i.e establishing it in your heart, is key to sticking with it. And God's grace and mercy sprinkled right in! :)
I love that, Jessica. Plenty of God's grace and mercy are needed. :)
DeleteGreat list. I would only add, make the goals realistic and not so big that they aren't attainable.
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago I started walking every day before work on the treadmill. I do 10-15 minutes. I didn't change anything else. But over a year, I dropped my bad cholesterol by 20 points.
By making it easy enough, and regular, it worked. I hope to take this approach with writing too.
Thanks, Anne. That's a great one. I agree that small steps make a huge difference.
DeleteI use that bathroom trick all the time!! And it works :) Thanks, Julie (Karen)
ReplyDeleteIt helps so much to see it, doesn't it?
DeleteGreat list... kind but focused. Just what I need. :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane!
DeleteLove them! i think I need to actually WRITE down my goals so I see them on a daily basis and can work on discipline
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is about writing them down, but it makes them feel more official. :)
DeleteOkay, so I'm totally late reading this list, but man is it good, Julie! I've got some definite goals and resolutions...I love your ninth one. Thinking about what it's going to be like "on the other side," once I've reached my goal, really helps me keep going.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. I think dreaming is the fun part!
DeleteLove it, Julie! I have some resolution that depend on me (finishing my next book by June 1st) and some that depend on others (get my twins potty-trained!). Both have measurable completion dates. :)
ReplyDeleteGood goals, Gabrielle. Good luck!
DeleteI'm about to sit down and write dome goals for this year!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you reach all of your 2013 goals and more. :)
Delete