Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions
What’s become just as common as a Christmas tree and gifts on Christmas are New Year’s resolutions on New Year’s Day. It’s likely that you have a New Year’s resolution, but even if you don’t, there’s no need to worry – we will all gladly look the other way if you decide to start a few days late. No matter what you end up deciding that your New Year’s resolution should be, there’s one thing you’ll find that nearly all of them have in common: it’s estimated that about 92 percent of New Year’s resolutions end up failing! The reasons for the lack of success vary widely, from not enough discipline to setting a too complex plan. It’s my goal to give you some helpful tips for achieving your 2017 New Year’s resolution so that you can be part of the 8 percent who actually succeed!
Start with a Smaller Goal
While your goal may be, for example, to quit smoking, doing so cold turkey is probably an unrealistic expectation for most people. By giving yourself a goal that’s realistically attainable, you’re much more likely to have the motivation to complete your task. Instead of quitting smoking, why not try simply cutting the amount of smoking you do in half for the time being? If you’ve maintained this, then you can start thinking about bigger goals – goals which should then seem much more manageable to achieve.
Focus on One Goal at a Time
Just like how you’re better off starting out with a smaller goal, you should also focus on one specific task at a time. It may be tempting to use this time to try to fix all of your bad habits, but it’s much more effective to pay full attention to only one goal. Fixing bad habits or lifestyle choices will take time and plenty of effort; giving a singular one the necessary attention it needs is a great way to keep you on the path towards fulfilling your resolution.
Keep a Support Group
The New Year’s resolution we set may be an individual goal, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not helpful to have a support group. It’s important to have a group of people that will push you toward achieving your resolution. Whether they are friends or family, these people need to be those you trust and have your best interests in mind. You can confide in them and they’ll keep you on the right track and push you forward to ensure that your resolution becomes a reality.
Start 2017 Off With A Clear Mind
If you are wanting more ongoing support to achieve lasting change in your life this year, therapy may be just what you need. Please feel free to give me a call at (310) 892-2572 or contact me online if you’re interested in getting the process started. I hope to hear from you soon… and have a Happy New Year!