Articles

TURNING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS INTO PERMANENT SOLUTIONS

January 1, 2005

Every year, millions of people target New Year's for making life improvements. This year, we resolve to eat less, exercise more, spend less, save more, talk less, listen more, procrastinate less, accomplish more and so on. We resolve to be a better, more thoughtful, organized, frugal, or conscious person. We join the health club, buy a treadmill, and make our list.

And then... nothing changes. We're the same person with all the same habits and cravings. By the end of January, we're discouraged; we give in and give up, maybe without ever even trying. Why are new leaves so hard to turn over?

Habits are stubborn, and changing them requires a creative, resourceful, strategic, repetitive, conscious effort. Replacing old habits is like anything else; to succeed, you need planning, and the right tools for the job.

Here are ten sure fire tools that are proven winners:

  1. Set yourself up for success. Are you ready and open to positive change? Believe it or not, many people find success hard to handle psychologically, so be certain you're not "self-sabotaging" in the way you approach your life change.
  2. Do some personal strategic planning. Organizations do it with great success all the time, so why shouldn't you? Use the next few steps to decide where you want to go, and what you need to get there. What will be your barriers? How will you manage them?
  3. Now make a list of concepts or values most important to you. Examples may be balance, fun, love, fitness, financial security, gratitude, compassion, integrity, fun, respect, teamwork, etc.
  4. Based on your values, set realistic, attainable goals and objectives. A goal is a broad statement about what you want. For example, "I want to be fit and healthy"; "I want to be financially secure". Objectives are the steps it will take to reach that goal. Make objectives specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic. "I will walk for one hour four days a week". "I will deposit $50 a week into a long term savings account".
  5. Frame every goal and objective in the positive. Realize that we generally manifest what we think about. If we're thinking about being fat, that's what you will likely manifest. Instead, keep words, thoughts, and actions in the positive; e.g., "I intend to be healthy". "I will have $5000 in savings by December".
  6. Break each objective into an action step that can go into your planner. Purchasing a planner from an office supply store can be an extremely worthy investment. Then schedule the action step and keep the commitment as you would any other. If the time comes and you don't feel up to the activity, review your goals and values, and ask yourself: "What do I REALLY want"? You may be surprised to discover that "I want to be fit" overrides the desire to break your resolution. Rally support of friends or family whenever possible.
  7. Celebrate the milestones! If you want to lose 30 pounds, celebrate at 5 pounds, 10 pounds, etc. Treat yourself to a reward, such as a massage, a concert, movie, etc. Include friends or family who have supported you.
  8. Try spatial modifications, as a way of reminding yourself of the positive changes you're making. For example, wear your watch on the opposite wrist as a way of symbolizing your goal. Every time you look at your wrist in search of the time, you remind yourself that you are changing. You can do this at your desk, in your refrigerator, wherever old habits tug on you.
  9. Plan replacement activities. If you're trying to quit smoking, for example, plan to replace the craving with a healthier alternative, such as a deep breath or a walk as a reminder of why you've quit.
  10. Setbacks are not failures. Even the best don't get it right all the time. Consider this shift in thinking: "there are no failures ­ only results". If you break down and give in to the old gravitational pull of history, don't consider it a failure. Simply start again.

Millions will make New Years resolutions; some will become permanent solutions.

May you fall into the category of success in 2005 and always.