5 Easy Tricks to Make Resolutions Stick
It’s January 2nd! That means you are 2 days closer to making your resolution or intention stick. If you still haven’t felt guided to make one, it isn’t too late. By now you’re either feeling great that you are kicking 2014 in the butt, or you are already beating yourself up for not taking action steps. Either way, your commitment to yourself will wax and wane over the year. So…
Here are 5 Tricks to Make Your Resolution Stick:
1. Is your goal based in self-love or self-lack?
It isn’t semantics. The reason behind your goal is what will maintain your motivation. Let’s say your goal is to eat healthy, is it because you want to look good for someone else or because you want to do it for yourself? If the motivating factor is based in self-love, you will be more likely to succeed.
2. Write it down and make it specific.
It’s one thing to say you’ll do something, it’s another to put it in writing. When you write down your goal, you’re more likely to take it seriously. You’re also more likely to see whether it’s vague (I’ll write a book) or clear (I’ll be done with my rough draft by May and by June I’ll submit it to publishing contacts). And, if you’re really ready to take action, shout it from the mountain tops! (i.e., tell a friend or declare it on Facebook) That creates accountability for those moments when we forget that:
“Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you.”
3. Divide & Conquer
Goals can be overwhelming so it’s helpful to divide them into bite-sized chunks. Let’s say your goal is to lose 10 pounds this year, who do you think is more likely to succeed:
Person A- “I will lose 10 pounds this year!”
Person B- “I will lose 1 pound each month!”
Person B wins! Not only is that more manageable, but since Person B set themselves up to lose 12 pounds, they’re left with some wiggle room.
4. Let’s Make a Deal
When we aren’t in the mood to take action, the underlying challenge may be taking that initial step. Make a deal with yourself. If your goal is to go back to school and you need to do your application, tell yourself, “I’m going to sit down, set a timer, and write for 20 minutes. After that time, if I don’t want to continue, I can stop without guilt.” Chances are you’ll get into the swing of it and continue writing.
5. Find Support
Winners surround themselves with winners. You can’t expect to succeed without like-minded people cheering you on. Whether that means you join a running club or get a coach, success is more likely when you surround yourself with people who believe in you and want you to succeed.
“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”