Most of us reluctantly make new years resolutions because we know that there is a massive chance that we just won’t keep them. The real trouble is not that making a resolution is setting yourself up for failure but that resolutions are often too vague to keep like: “get in shape” or “get my life together.” Those aren’t real goals because they aren’t concrete enough.
The one trick to keeping your new years resolution is setting small goals that add up to bigger ones. Instead of saying you’re going to get in shape, create a reasonable plan of weight loss. The real key here is having a plan. Instead of generally declaring you want to lose weight, set a goal of losing 5 pounds by March. Then ask yourself how you are going to get there—that’s another goal in and of itself. Are you going to commit to going to the gym three times a week, is there a 30-day workout DVD you hope to complete or a diet plan you want to try? Making broad goals more real will make them a ton more achievable.
If your idea for 2014 is to “get your life back into gear” you need to ask yourself what does that mean. Is it finding a new boo? A new job? A new home? A new city? If so what’s your plan of action. You must figure out what you actually want if you actually expect to get it. If you want a new significant other are you going to try online dating websites, apps or going out every night? If you’re set on a new job will you carve out time to find jobs, to rewrite resumes and cover letters each week?
Completing a resolution means doing real research and setting real goals, it’s not about making declarative statements. Even quitting smoking takes more than just deciding you are going to quit. Will you switch to electronic cigarettes, a patch or gum? Will you reduce how many you smoke a day first? Will you go cold turkey?
Asking yourself questions will help you figure out what you want and how to get there. For example my resolution is to meet new people and do something unrelated to work that I can be apart of. There aren’t many moments in adulthood where you get to work on a project just for fun. So I am looking to join an improv, dance or theater group and commit to going once or twice a week.
So what are your big resolutions for the year?
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How To Keep Your New Years Resolution
