New Year's Resolutions Re-visited

Today was the first day of the demise of New Year's Resolutions at the gym. How do I know? It was no longer difficult to find a parking space when I pulled into the parking lot at the gym this morning. I knew it was coming, it does every year, but today I was sad thinking that once again the goal to be healthier only lasted a few weeks for so many people.

Here are a couple of insights into how to keep your New Year's Resolutions after the novelty has worn off.

1. The key to change is to focus on what you are doing right. When you do well, or stick to your word, it gives you confidence. Confidence breeds success. Keep a Success Journal. Each night right down everything you did right during the day and re-read those entries to inspire and motivate you to keep going. Remember, success can be measured in little, tiny accomplishments.

2. Believe in the process knowing that it is going to be hard. You have not failed because it is hard. You have not failed because you are tempted by brownies at work. You have not failed because this morning you wanted to push the snooze button one more time. Sometimes we believe that being tempted is failure. Not so. Change is difficult at best. Go into it knowing that it is going to be hard and develop a strategy for those hard moments. You will be tempted!

3. Check it off. Often we become immobilized and don't know where to begin once we have slid off of our plan. Get a small index card and write 3 simple tasks that you will do today towards your goal. Each task gets a big check mark. The one check mark will feel like a victory and usually gives you the emotional boost you need to move on to the next.

Do not abandon your goals! Get up and get going again.