Friday, December 28, 2012

10 Ways to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution



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?



24 comments:

  1. I found the best way to stick to New Year's resolutions is not to make any. (-;

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  2. These are great tips!
    I don't make resolutions either but if I did, this advice would be invaluable. :-)

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  3. This 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!



















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  4. yeah, i think it is important to keep the right goals with realistic ideals. great post and love your blog, julie!! new follower, hi!

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  5. Excellent 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.

    I 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! :)

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    1. I love that, Jessica. Plenty of God's grace and mercy are needed. :)

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  6. Great list. I would only add, make the goals realistic and not so big that they aren't attainable.

    Two 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.

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    1. Thanks, Anne. That's a great one. I agree that small steps make a huge difference.

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  7. I use that bathroom trick all the time!! And it works :) Thanks, Julie (Karen)

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  8. Great list... kind but focused. Just what I need. :O)

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  9. Love them! i think I need to actually WRITE down my goals so I see them on a daily basis and can work on discipline

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    1. I don't know what it is about writing them down, but it makes them feel more official. :)

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  10. Okay, 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.

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    1. Thanks, Melissa. I think dreaming is the fun part!

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  11. Love 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. :)

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  12. I'm about to sit down and write dome goals for this year!!

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    1. I hope you reach all of your 2013 goals and more. :)

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