Every New Year people come up with a resolution to better themselves. Most pick things which are difficult to achieve like losing weight or quitting smoking. These are not that difficult to achieve when taken step by step, but we live in a society where we want everything done as fast as possible and with the quickest results. This is where people begin to fail and give up. Only about 9% of people who make resolutions actually complete or continue a resolution. Here are a couple of tips on keeping your resolution alive:
1. Have the right mentality and stray away from thinking this will happen overnight. Most resolutions (especially difficult ones) can take months if not years to achieve. Some life changing resolutions do not have an end date, as they require never-ending improvement and commitment.
2. With the mentality that you are in it for the long haul, sketch out a plan for your resolution that is realistic and flexible in case something comes up, and stick to the plan. Be as specific as you can. Start small and build yourself up. If you want to run a marathon, start with one lap. A novel? One paragraph. It's much easier to revert away from your resolution if there is no plan in place to steer you back into the right direction, and you are much more likely to do something when the decision has already been sketched out for you.
3. Support groups striving for the same goals can be instrumental in success. Doing things together can be more fun and reassure you that you are not alone in the struggle. A support group will help you get back on track when you veer off course. Your support system will help you figure out what works and what doesn't.
4. If you mess up, don't quit for good. Review your plan, make some modifications if necessary, talk to your support group, and give it another go.
5. If the resolution is a big one, look at it as a life adjustment, not a temporary fix. If you reach a goal, make another one. Diets don't work because the concept behind a diet is that the person is going to temporarily adjust what he or she eats or how they work out until they have lost a designated amount of weight, and then go back to what they doing before. Put room in your plan to keep going once you've reached a certain milestone.
6. The New Year is a completely arbitrary date to start something great in your life, or start over from something you tried to do and failed. Ignore the New Year and start now. Do not allow it to become the excuse for why you are waiting to "try again next year."