How to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions -- Finally!

by Tom Hinton

If you’re like most people, you probably spent a few minutes during the holidays thinking about the new year and making several resolutions. And, if you’re like most people, you’ve already broken most of your New Year’s resolutions. Although we’re well-intentioned, it’s very difficult to honor our words and promises. Why is that? After all, who doesn’t want to get healthy, quit smoking or drinking, lose weight, spend more time with family and friends, get out of debt, travel and enjoy life more fully?

You would think these types of resolutions would be easy to embrace and follow. But, the harsh reality is most New Year’s resolutions require more from us than just verbalizing a statement of intent. My experience has been that setting goals is a simple process, but staying on track and honoring our resolutions is anything but easy! Why? Well, for starters, most of us are poor planners. As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” So, you need to have a plan.

Here’s a three-step plan to help you honor your words and promises and keep your New Year’s resolutions.

Step 1. Write down your goals. Someone once quipped that the difference between a wish and a goal is that goals are written while wishes remain a figment of our imagination. I am a firm believer that resolutions and goals need to be written down if we intend to achieve them. So, the first step, is to simply write down each resolution in the form of a SMART goal – that is, each goal must be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time certain.

For example, let’s say you want to get in shape and start exercising. Your goal should be written as follows: I exercise 5 days each week for 30 minutes or longer by walking, bike riding, going to the gym or doing calisthenics. I mark my calendar each day after I complete my exercise routine to measure my success. Now, there’s a goal that meets the SMART test!

Step 2. Enlist someone to help you achieve your goals. There’s an old saying, “Two heads are better than one.” When it comes to goal-setting, one of the best techniques I have found is to enlist the help of a friend, spouse or family member who has a similar goal. Use the buddy system to support each other. This is particularly powerful when it comes to achieving goals like exercise, diets, work projects or finally writing your first novel!

Step 3. Get Results. Another quote that comes to mind is this one. “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!” There will always be hurdles and challenges that block your path to success. But, remember, you alone are responsible for your success. You alone must remove those barriers if you want to go forward. You need to get results. John Lennon, the late Beatle, once quipped that “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” It’s true! You need to be alert to disruptions and guard your personal time so you can achieve your goals. This is how you get results. And, remember, it’s okay to tell friends you can’t join them after work for a beer because you have a prior commitment – the fitness center. It’s okay to order fruit for dessert when everyone else is gorging themselves on cheesecake! And, when your exercise partner can’t make it, don’t quit. Put on your sneakers and go for a long walk by yourself. Don’t make excuses and don’t ever give yourself permission to fail.

Most of us set New Year’s resolutions and goals because we want to improve our lives. We want to become the person we dream about. However, what we forget is that setting goals and resolutions requires us to change something – a behavior, a thought process, certain values or old beliefs – that keep us from becoming that person we dream about. So, change is also part of the equation for achieving your goals.

Here are three steps you can take to deal with change in your life.

First, you must prepare yourself -- mentally and emotionally, for change. You cannot just walk into a sea of change and expect to swim. Most change consists of whitewater and treacherous rapids. Seldom is the sea of change calm. Changing your beliefs, values and behavior requires some degree of mental and physical preparation if you really expect to achieve your goals.

Secondly, you must identify the barriers that keep you from changing your life and resolve to overcome those barriers. Make up your mind that you will change that part of you that heretofore has resisted lasting change or improvement. For example, you cannot quit smoking if you continue to buy cigarettes. You cannot stop drinking if you continue to buy booze and bring it home. These types of actions and behaviors must stop if you want to achieve your goals. You must resolve to give up those behaviors that undermine your success. Once you take positive action, the chances of achieving success will increase dramatically. Frankly, it’s not rocket science, It’s as simple as 1-2-3.

Finally, expect setbacks. No one is perfect. We all stumble from time to time. So, when you stumble, get back on your feet and move forward. If you miss a day of exercising, resolve to add a make-up day at the gym. If you sneak a cigarette, be aware that you are undermining your goal of quitting and don’t finish it. Throw it away after a few puffs. Reset the clock and start again. But, be sure to note what caused you to stumble so you can train your mind and emotions not to falter for the same reason the next time that temptation or excuse rears its ugly head. You have to resolve to be stronger than the excuse. Otherwise, you’ll never achieve your goals.

It’s tough starting off the new year with several well-intentioned resolutions but lacking the confidence to see them through to fruition. Hopefully, this plan for success will surprise you as spring approaches and you are well on your way to a healthier, happier you! Be Positive, Stay Focused and Get Results!

About the Author. Tom Hinton is a professional speaker and author of 10,000 Days: The Secret to Finding Purpose, Peace and Passion for the Rest of Your Life. He can be reached at: www.tomhinton.com or via email at: tom@tomhinton.com