If you're like most people, the majority of your New Year's resolutions become New Year's delusions by the end of February. Less than 30% of New Years resolutions ever achieve success, but year after year, we stick with tradition of making at least one resolution.
On New Years Eve, many of us make (or consider making) a resolution to achieve a personal goal. This is the opportunity for a clean start, you're once a year opening to take on a new challenge and achieve something worth while. Want to make a difference this year? Here are 10 keys to achieving results with your resolution for the New Year.
1. Put Some Thought into Your Resolution
A significant number of people make their resolutions at the last minute, sometimes a minute before midnight, in response to someone asking "what's your New Year's resolution?" An important fact about resolutions is resolutions do not need to be declared at the stroke of midnight, or on New Year's day for that matter.
Take your time; make a realistic resolution, one that you have considered and you believe can be accomplished. No need to make it life changing, profound or of great significance to others. Make a resolution that has meaning and significance to you.
If you are always in a rush in the morning, resolve to wake up 15-30 minutes earlier than you usually do to give yourself more time to prepare for the day.
If your house is always cluttered, resolve to clean or straighten up one room a week, or perhaps resolve never to go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.
If you are feeling isolated because you live far away from family or friends, resolve to write a personal letter once a month.
All of these are simple resolutions, not excessive or taking on too much of a burden, but they are resolutions that are obtainable and will make a positive impact on your year. Put some thought into it, make it a resolution that has some meaning and a level of purpose in your life.
2. Make It Realistic
Do not make a resolution that is unreasonable or next too impossible to obtain, you are only setting yourself up to be discouraged and disappointed.
One of the more popular resolutions is "I am going to get in shape" or "I am going to start exercising every day." As yourself, do you exercise now? What will magically happen on December 31 that will transform you into a person to have the will power to exercise every day, or change your diet or stop smoking overnight?
Do not make an "all or nothing" resolution. Set a goal that can be achieved in steps or phases, one that you have a chance of being successful at. If you have never exercised and want to start, make a resolution to exercise 15-20 minutes every second day, something simple, something that you can achieve.
If by March you determine your initial goal was too easy to achieve, there is nothing in the resolution rulebook that prevents you from adjusting your resolution to a higher standard, or even declaring a revised resolution with a whole new goal.
3. Set A Firm Resolution
Most resolutions fall into one of two categories, you either want to start doing something new (exercise, diet, eat better, save money, travel more) or you want to stop doing something (smoking, drinking, watching too much TV, excessive shopping, running up debt).
The major challenge with both types is they focus on the action of stopping or starting something and they typically lack exact specifics.
Take for example one of the most popular resolutions, "I want to lose weight." Not only does this resolution lack specifics, but it has no positive focus on a true accomplishment. Some suggest it is better to be specific as to how much weight you want to lose, again, the focus is not on the outcome but on the on the work.
The focus of your resolution needs to be on the outcome. If you weight 180 pounds and you want to lose 30 pounds, then your resolution is "I want to weight 150 pounds this year."
Now you have a specific goal, you have a target, you know what you are working towards and what you want to achieve.
If you want to save money, how much money do you want in the bank by the end of the year? Your resolution is I want to have "X" dollars by the end of the year.
If you want to stop smoking, your resolution is "I will be a non-smoker by the end of the year." Whatever your resolution, word it so it is specific and focused on the outcome and the results you want.
4. Set A Timetable
What is the difference between a goal and a dream? A goal is a dream with a deadline. It makes a huge impact on your ability to obtain a resolution when you can attach a specific timetable and deadline to achieve your resolution.
If, for example, you want to save money, set a goal of how much money you want to save for the year, divide that amount by 52 weeks and now you have a new goal of how much you need to save every week to make your resolution a success. Whatever your resolution, you need to acknowledge that, if it is a worthwhile resolution, it will take time and effort. By setting a timetable and a deadline, you will be able to track your progress to achieve the resolution you desire.
5. Make A Plan
For many, making a resolution is like diving into the deep end of a pool and then noticing on the way down there is no water in the pool. It makes sense that if you are serious about achieving resolution results a little pre-planning might be a worthwhile effort.
The second most popular New Year's resolution is to get in shape and January is typically when most gyms see the highest number of new members. Just because you join a gym does not mean you will be in shape. You need to do more than join; you need to take a serious look at your weekly calendar and schedule time to actually go to the gym.
Whatever your resolution, take time to assess how much time and effort it will take to ensure success and then schedule the time and make the effort to make your plan deliver resolution.
6. Find Resources
If you are taking on a new resolution, it stands to reason that it most likely is something you have never accomplished before, because if you had been successful in the past, then there would be no need to make it a new resolution now.
So, if this is a new challenge, or something that you have been unable to accomplish in the past, does it not stand to reason that you may need some help to ensure your success?
Do some research by checking resources on the Internet;or do it the old fashion way and go the library;look in the paper;check the yellow pages;
ask a friend or a family member.
The important thing is to explore resources to educate yourself on techniques and skills that assist you in achieving your resolutions.
7. Remind Yourself Every Day
Your resolution may have been near the top of your list of things to do on January 1, but after a few months, it has a tendency to slowly work its way down the list. In many instances, your resolution actually falls off the "to-do" list.
One way to combat this challenge is to create a simple prompt that you will see everyday to remind you of your resolution.
The easiest thing to do is to write your resolution down on a small piece of paper and tape it to the mirror in your bathroom. This way, every morning you will see the note and remind yourself of your resolution.
For the computer savvy individual, you can set up your daily or weekly schedule to give you an auto-reminder of you resolution.
8. Don't Give Up
Most people start the New Year with lot of enthusiasm and energy to ensure their resolution will be a success. Then after a while, the excitement goes away and not long after you realize you have gone for a whole 3 weeks without adhering to your resolution.
Perhaps you stopped going to the gym to work out for a few weeks or you started smoking again or stopped your diet because of a very stressful situation at work.
Don't panic, your commitment to your resolution is not destroyed. Remember, your resolution is for the entire New Year, which gives you a total of 52 weeks, a whole 365 days to accomplish your goal.
So what if you stopped your resolution for a week, or even a month, there is no reason you cannot start up again where you left off. Why wait until next December 31 to re-start the same resolution you made last year? Start today, you can start a resolution any day you want to.
9. Find A Resolution Partner
A great way to ensure success is to find a New Year's Resolution partner. It may be a friend, someone from work or church or a family member. Ask around and find someone who is serious about making their New Year's Resolution as success.
Make an agreement to meet at least once a month, perhaps for lunch or for coffee, to discuss your resolution, provide updates and to give each other support. Exchange e-mail updates on a weekly basis. Having someone to talk to about your resolution and hearing about someone else's resolution is a powerful motivator.
10. Reward Yourself
Don't forget to reward yourself for achieving success. You have made a significant commitment to do something important and meaningful; you need to be commended for your initiative and must be rewarded for your effort.
Make a decision of what your reward will be, make it something personal and special.
It does not need to be luxurious or expensive, it can be something simple and obtainable like a one-hour massage, or a weekend stay at local hotel that has a pool. Pamper yourself; do not be afraid to treat yourself to a little reward every month for sticking to your resolve to achieve your resolution.
Use your imagination; make it something that you would not normally treat yourself to, because you earned it.
Your New Year's Resolution can be achieved. A year from now, on December 31, you will have two things to celebrate.
First, you have achieved your resolution from last year, something the majority of New Year merrymakers barely remember.
Second, you now know you have what it takes to accomplish the new resolution you will make for next year.
如果你和大多数人一样,那么你的新年决定中的大部分会在2月结束之前成为绝唱。只有不到30%的新年决定最终会成功,不过年复一年,我们还是重复着这个传统,至少做一个决定。
在元旦前夜,我们中的很多人都会做(或者考虑做出)一个决定来实现个人目标。这是一个全新开始的机会,在一年初始,接受一个新的挑战,并获的一些有价值的东西。今年想有新变化么?下面的十个达成预定结果的是个关键。
1、作出决定之前要三思
有很多人直到最后一分钟才制定他们的决定,有时候是午夜前的一分钟,只是在别人问起“你的新年决定是什么”的时候,给出的回答而已。关于决定的一个重要事实就是,决定不需要在午夜钟声敲响的时候宣布,或者元旦的时候为了说起而说起。
给自己些时间,制定一个现实的计划,一个你经过思考、并相信可以达成的决定。他不需要是一个翻天覆地的变化,影响深远或者对其他人有显著意义。制定一个对你自己有意义而且重要的计划。
如果每天早上都是匆匆忙忙,那就计划每天比平时早起15-30分钟,让自己有更多的时间为新一天做准备。
如果你的房子总是一团糟,每周打扫一个房间或者保持一周房间清洁,或者是决定只要洗碗槽里还有脏盘子就不能上床。
如果你因为远离朋友和家人而觉得与世隔绝,那就每个月写一封私人信件。
这些都是很简单的决定,并不过分也不会增加太重的负担,不过这些都是些可以达成的、并对新的一年产生好影响的决定。花点心思,做一个对你的生活有意义、并且有不同层级目的的决定。
2、现实一点儿
不要做出一个毫无道理或者不可能完成的决定,这只是自找的灰心和失望。
一个很常见的决定是“我要练出条来”或者“我要每天锻炼”。问问自己,你现在锻炼么?12月31日能发生什么神奇的事情能把你变成一个能有毅力坚持每天锻炼的人,或者改变你的饮食、让你一夜就戒烟?
不要定下“全部要不就没有”的决定。制定一个可以分几步、分阶段完成的计划,一个你有成功机会的决定。如果你从来不锻炼,而想现在开始,现决定每隔一天锻炼15-20分钟,容易些的事情,你能达到的事情。
如果到了三月,你觉得达到最初的计划太容易了,没有什么规定说你不能把决定调整到更高的目标,你甚至可以重新设立目标,设定一个新的决定。
3、设定一个牢固的决定
大部分的新年决定属于以下两类之一,你要不就想开始做一些新的事情(锻炼,节食、吃的更好、存钱、多多旅游)或者你想停止做一些事情(吸烟、喝酒、看太多电视、购物狂、欠债不还)。这两种的最大挑战都是他们重视开始或结束的行为上,同时往往缺乏确切的说明比方说最常见的一个决定“我要减肥”这个决定不仅缺乏明确性,而且没有积极地关注真正完成的结果。有些人建议,最要明确到你要瘦多少,不过重点不是结果而是过程。
你的决定应该重视结果。如果你180磅重,想瘦30磅,那你的计划应该是“我希望今年重150磅”。
现在你就有了个明确的目标,你有了这个目标就知道你朝着什么地方努力、你想达到什么。
如果你想省钱,你希望到底年底银行里能有多少钱?那你的决定就该是我希望到年底能有XXX钱。
如果你想戒烟,你的决定就该是“我到年底能成为非烟民”不论你的决定是什么,明确说出目标,把重点放在你希望获得的结果上。
4、制定时间表
目标和梦想的区别在哪里?目标是有期限的梦想。能否遵守具体的时间表和期限对于完成你的新年决定至关重要。
比如,如果你想省钱,定下个目标你想这一点存多少钱,把这个数字除以52,现在你就有了个新的目标,你每周要存多少钱才能完成你的决定。不论你的目标是什么,你都需要知道,如果是个有价值的决定,那就要时间和努力才能完成。制定时间表和期限,你就能够记录在向目标前进的过程中的进度。
5、制定计划
对很多人来说,下个决心就像跳进一个水塘,后来发现水塘里没有水。所以如果你真的对你的决定很认真,那花些功夫做事前的计划是很有道理的。
第二常见的新年决定是塑身成功,一月份往往是大多数健身房接受最多新会员的时候。仅仅参加健身房不意味着你就能塑身成功。光是参加远远不够,你需要认真地看看自己的每周时间表,并安排一个时间去健身房。
不论你的决定是什么,花些时间衡量一下你达到这个目标需要用多少时间、付出多少努力,然后计划出时间、并不断努力以达成愿望。
6、寻找资源
如果你正要完成一个新的决定,那很可能是一件你从来没有完成过的任务,因为如果你过去曾经成功,那你没必要现在制定一个新的决定。
所以,如果这是一个新挑战,或者是以前从来没有完成的事情,完全有理由相信你需要一些帮助以保证成功。
在网上找找,好好研究一下
或者通过图书馆这种老办法
在报纸上找找看
问问朋友或者家人
最重要的是通过查询让自己了解有什么方法和技巧可以帮助你达成新年愿望。
7、每天都要提醒
在一月一日,你的新年决定可能是所有要做的事情中最重要的那个,不过几个月之后,它就会变得越来越不重要了。很多例子告诉我们,你的新年决定经常会跌出“要做的事情”这个榜单。
一种突破这种局面的途径是在每天都能看到的地方贴上一个标语,每天提醒自己你还有个决定要去实现。
对那些用惯电脑的人,你可以给自己设置一个每天或者每周的自动提示,定期提醒你的决定。
8、不要放弃
很多人开始完成新年愿望的的时候都充满热情、精力充沛,以保证自己的决定能够实现。过不了多久,热情消退了,很快你就会发现你已经整整三个礼拜没去遵守自己的决定了。
可能因为工作压力大,你几个星期每区健身房,可能你又开始吸烟,或者停止节食。
别慌,完成决定的承诺并没有失败。记住,你的决定在一整年都有效,你一共有52周,整整365天去达成你的目标。
所以,要是你有一星期、甚至一个月没遵守决定,没有任何理由能阻止你重新捡起来丢掉的东西。为什么要等到下一个12月31日再去重复去年制定的新年决定呢?现在就开始,哪天开始你的决定都由自己做主。
9、找个搭档
保证成功的一个很好的办法就是给你的新年决定找个搭档。可能是个朋友,也可能工作的同事或教堂的兄弟姐妹,或是家庭成员。周围问问,看看有没有同样认真地希望实现新年决定的人。
两个人约定好每个月至少见一次面,也许是一起吃个午饭或者喝杯咖啡,讨论你们的决定,告诉彼此最新的进展,并互相支持。每周就最近进展通邮件。有个人谈谈自己新年决定、听听他们的决定,是一个很好的动力。
10、奖励自己
别忘了达到目标的时候奖励自己。你对完成一些重要而有意义的事情做出了很慎重的承诺,你应该为做出这个好的决定、做出这么多的努力,奖励自己。
决定你会得到什么奖励,最好是些私人的、特别的事情。
奖励不必很奢侈或者贵重,可以是些很简单并容易得到的,比如一小是的按摩、或者在当地有泳池的宾馆过个周末。鼓励下自己,别害怕为了自己能够达成决定而坚持计划而每个月给自己一些小奖励。
发动想象,做些平时自己不会去享受的事情,因为你是靠本事得来的。
你的新年计划一定会实现。一年以后,12月31日的时候,你会庆祝两件事情:
第一,你完成了去年的新年决定,这可是大多数提出新年决定的人记都不会记得的。
第二,你现在知道了怎样才能完成第二年作出的新年决定。