Every January the conversation includes New Year’s resolutions.  There are those who make resolutions every year and others who vow to never do such a thing.  New Year’s resolutions are like diets.  You typically start strong and are committed to your diet short term.  But by the very meaning of going on something; you come off of it; so, when you go on a diet, you will eventually come off of the diet.  Similarly, resolutions seldom last.  In fact, studies show that less than 25% of people who make New Year’s resolutions stay committed beyond 30 days!

Wanting to improve your life and setting goals to do so is great; right?  Therefore, what is the problem?    Perhaps the mistake is believing change is strictly a linear progression.  Instead of a straight line, picture change being straight ahead at times, and other times, winding roads with peaks and valleys.  If the overall trend is upward, that is a progressive change.

It is imperative to embrace that setbacks and distractions will test you is part of the process… Stuff happens!  Your shift in mindset must include the fact that no amount of desire for creating new habits will substitute for consistency.  If you struggle or slip up, instead of giving up, look at what you have achieved.  Then as soon as possible resume your quest for change.   Depending on the source, for example, it takes the average smoker 6 to 30 attempts to finally quit smoking!!

Find positive things you enjoy doing to support you in achieving your goal.  If you hate running, for instance, that is probably not a good strategy for losing weight.  Maybe you would enjoy martial arts instead.

Create a lifestyle that will aid in your success.  Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who are willing to support you.  Look for loved ones or groups that are facilitated by people who have already accomplished your goal.

Allow a few people to hold you accountable.   Be open to their feedback.  Avoid being combative and defensive when you get constructive criticism.  How you respond may influence if people will be willing to help or not.  You may know a lot on the subject but consider you may not know everything.  If you did, you wouldn’t need to make changes; you would have made them already.

If you know that certain people are not going to support you, avoid leaning on them as your confidants.  Why waste your energy being hurt and frustrated by nay-sayers?

This year consider making your resolutions realistic goals that may at times need to be adjusted, modified, tweaked, and changed.  Create mini-successes along the way.  Achieving smaller goals that lead you to your bigger goals will help keep you motivated.  Intertwine resolutions with becoming better each day.

There is nothing wrong with hitting the reset button.  This time make up your mind that no matter what, you will not quit.  You will have some wins and maybe some losses too, but quitting is not an option.