How to Stick to Your New Years Resolution

As the New Year approaches everyone is thinking about and worried about making and most of all keeping resolutions. Have you ever looked around and asked how many people you know have never kept their resolutions and why they have failed?

It is assumed that four out of five people fail to keep their resolutions and most fail within the first month. The reason so many fail is too often the resolutions are setting the bar higher than most can realistically achieve. The same as we teach our children adults need to learn to do things in smaller step in order to achieve the overall goal.

Instead of making resolutions set goals in both short term and long term but set them according to what you can realistically live with. If your goal is to quit smoking don't make a resolution to go cold turkey at midnight January 1 while at a party, it is doubtful you will really put out that cigarette as you are surrounded by a room full of smokers. Instead figure out what you can really do, maybe you need to begin by cutting down and taking it all in steps. If you need assistance such as the nicotine patch or gum then make sure you have some on hand before your quit date. The holidays are a stressful time for many and going cold turkey while the family is engaged in its latest disagreement is almost guaranteeing failure for you. Remembering nicotine is an addiction and it won't go away overnight and you are likely to be moody, don't put yourself or loved one in a position to feel that smoking might actually be better than dealing with your moodiness. While you will likely to be cranky taking this slowly and in a way that doesn't make you feel deprived constantly will help you stick to your resolution to quit smoking.

If your goals are to lose weight don't decide that you will quit eating all of your favorite foods during a holiday get together, this is destined to either be torture or failure for you and most people approach weight loss as an all or nothing resolutions. Again, set your goals and really consider what will work for you. Instead of giving up everything you love why not look at what small changes you can make that will assist you in shedding those extra pounds. Instead of eating hamburgers three times a week cut it down to once a week and replace the other days with something that has less fat. Swearing off of fries or cheesecake for the rest of your life is not going to work, allow yourself your favorite food but do it in limited quantity. Do not run out and join a gym unless you have money to burn. While a gym is a good way to work out and lose weight they are often extremely inconvenient as far as time and location instead figure out what you can do from home or work without investing a great deal of money. Walking is always free and it can be done anywhere you may be.

Resolutions fail because they usually are the final goal and not the beginning goal and they become overwhelming. Instead of starting at the end you need to figure out where the beginning really is and decide what is the best first step for you. Write down your goals and how you plan to implement them and then consider what your main obstacles will be and figure out how to either avoid or eliminate them. Be willing to be flexible and if something isn't working for you make changes until you find something that will take you to the end goal.

Making small goals and taking smaller steps will make it easier for you to stick to your resolutions and also make you feel less deprived of those things that you love so much. Allowing yourself to ease into any large lifestyle change gives you a much larger chance of success not only in the short term but for a lifetime. Be proud of your achievements and reward yourself with something other than the habits your are trying to kick and remember beating yourself up for slipping here and there is a waste of time and energy. Accept the slip and move on to the next day with a renewed sense of commitment to your goal and a happier life.