How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Jan 6, 2012 by Vonda

Making New Year’s resolutions are easy. Keeping them? Not so much.

We have all been there before – making these great New Year’s resolutions and not sticking to them. It’s nothing to beat yourself up about, but wouldn’t it be nice to accomplish all your goals and dreams this year?

Why is it difficult to stick to them anyway? Are your resolutions unrealistic? Is your plan of action unclear? There must be some kind of explanation as to why new gym memberships soar in the beginning of the year then in a month or two, gym attendance drops and cancellations goes through the roof.

Just because this happens to the majority of resolution makers, however, doesn’t mean that you too have to be a resolution dropout. Here are a few ways to ensure that you won’t fall off the wagon:

Set specific goals

Break down your New Year’s resolutions into monthly resolutions. When your goals are as specific as possible, it becomes much easier to achieve them. If one of your resolutions is to save money, decide how much money you want to attain at the end of the year then break it down into how much you will save every month. Perhaps every month you will pack your lunch for work, put $200 in your savings and cut expenses.

Record your goals and process

It’s proven that people who write down their goals and dreams are more likely to achieve them. You become more committed to the goal when you see it on paper, but more importantly, you should create an action plan on how you’re going to accomplish the goal. Use the tools in your Success Planner to work on this year’s resolutions. The Planner will help you break down your resolutions into smaller ones, create your action plan and record your process.

Need the 2012 Success Planner? Click here.

Don’t try to be perfect

Accept that it’s not going to be perfect, but rather an overall picture. Success comes in overall consistency, not perfection. If you hit bumps on the road or make mistakes, it’s okay – there’s always tomorrow to get up and try again. It’s a new day… a new beginning. Don’t be too hard on yourself! 

Spread the word

Tell friends, family, co-workers and/or whoever about your New Year’s resolutions and how you’re going to stick to them. Spreading the word will make you more passionate about sticking to your resolutions. Who knows, you may inspire them to also stick to their New Year’s resolutions.

Reward yourself

Look at your Success Planner to be reminded of the positive outcomes of keeping your resolutions. These reminders will help you focus on the end-result or the big reward. In the meantime, reward yourself with small rewards when you accomplish an important step on your action plan.

Question: Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, how do you stick to them?