20 New Year's Resolutions Later: How to Follow Through this Time

We've all made New Year's Resolutions and broken New Year's Resolutions! Just imagine the person you'd be if you'd have managed to successfully inculcate all your past New Year's Resolutions into your daily life. I don't know about you... but I'd be quite a superior human being. Making a change in your life and making that change a part of your everyday life is really just mind over matter. I have at least 20 years worth of New Year's Resolutions, under my belt. I've jotted down points that will help me keep my New Year's resolution this time around.

1. Start now and find something you want to do: I know we still have a good 2 weeks before the holidays, but I'm going to start Today. Whenever I start something the moment I think I need it achieved, I usually achieve it. If I wait for Monday or the 1^st of the month, I never really get around to it seriously. So start now!

When you choose a resolution, make sure it's something you want achieved. Choose something that will add to the quality of your life. For me, I'm going to live healthier, which means I'll eat better, workout more and take the dogs for longer walks.

2. Set a SMART goal and have a realistic game plan: Set a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-framed. Deviating from these goals is difficult without coming off as a deviant. For more insights to SMART goats you can refer to http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.html

Always have a game plan you can spread out around your day to day activities. A game plan will differ from person to person. You know yourself the best and know what works for you and your family. Personally, I think that my game plan should involve my whole family (My husband and our two dogs) Not only will this mean that I get more time with my family, it's also time well spent with family. Time we would otherwise spend being couch potatoes.

3. Focus on your Goal and Anticipate and avoid obstacles: Self-improvement plan are always tough in the beginning. You need discipline and commitment. The first thing you have to understand is that you need to change and that it won't be easy. The first few weeks are always tough and that when people give up. Don't give up! Stick to your mettle, believe that you have it in you and trudge forward. Think how much better off you'll be once you've achieved your goals. Always look ahead.

Until you hit your groove and start seeing results, avoid certain people and places...Example: Aunt Linda and her out of this world double chocolate chip cookies or Grandpa Andy and his rants about how his father smoked since he was 12 and lived to the ripe old age of 92. At the early stages of your plan we are like stretched out elastic bands, just dying to go back to our old ways. Stay in touch with your positive and "lift me up" friends. We all have them. They are the ones that put a spring in your step even after a casual conversation.

4. Stay motivated and maintain a progress chart: You've chosen a goal you'd like to achieve and would love to see yourself achieving it. Make this time a fun time for you (and your family). Every once in a while picture yourself with your goal achieved. Pull out your skinny jeans and see yourself gradually start to fit into them. Imagine yourself not craving just one quick puff when you're in the middle of something important. Be patient. This will take time, but it will be time well spent.

Writing down your goal and setting a schedule to reach it, is essential to make sure you keep your New year's resolution. Chart your progress. Week 1: Weight lost 2 lbs, Week 2: ......

The progress chart will take only a few minutes, once a week but will keep you on track. Everyone should keep a calendar or planner of some type where they can pencil in planned activities. Plan your time well; you'll be surprised at the amount of things you can fit in once you start planning your time well.

5. Keeping resolutions and making a habit of them: Find people with the same interests. Meet up with them. Discuss their modus operandi and their progress. Find a partner or a group of people with similar goals. Life's most difficult goals are much easier to reach in the company of friends, family members or people moving toward the same goal.

For example: Weight loss groups, Smokers Anonymous, avid travelers...etc provide real support and work together to achieve more than they could as an individual.

Alternatively, you can start a blog and post your progress and review the progress of others.

It has been documented that it takes 21 days or there about to really build a habit. Work the goal achievement game plan into your daily routine and make it second nature. Very soon you won't feel the pinch of this new improved life style because it'll be your daily routine.

These are my two cents worth. My new and improved healthy living routine, starts today. I wish you all the best in your goals. Remember to have fun, after all life is a journey and the destination is unknown.