New Year's Resolutions: 10 Tips to Achieving Your Goals

It is a cycle that repeats every year. As one year begins the fade and the dawn of a new one is upon us, we begin thinking about the things we want to achieve or change. Most Americans make at least one New Year's resolution, 40-45% make more than one. Some of the most common resolutions are to lose weight, stop smoking or get a better job.

New Year's Resolutions are usually made with determination and fervor, however most are abandoned or forgotten and remain unachieved when the next New Year rolls around. Statistically by the end of the first week of the new year 25% of resolutions are abandoned. By June 54% of resolutions have been broken. When faced with these statistics it is easy to think making New Year's resolutions is silly and doesn't work. However, there are ways to make your goals for the New Year stick.

1.Don't make a resolution, set a goal. Everyone gets excited about the new year and the opportunity to set and achieve resolutions. The problem is that by mid-January the excitement of the new year has worn off. It is easy to forget or lose enthusiasm that is set up as a "resolution for the New Year" when you are consumed with everyday life. Instead of making a New Year's Resolution, make a life goal. Changing the words you use to describe your goal may seem like a small, insignificant change, but it can have a positive impact on how you think about your goal in the future. The simple change in language changes your goal from something you are doing as a trend for a new year to a goal you are setting to change your life in a positive way.

2.Keep it simple. One of the reasons so many people fail to achieve the goals they set for the new year is because they set more than one and are ambiguous in what they want to achieve. Choose one thing you want to achieve or change to focus your energy on.

3.Write it down. There is something about writing something down that makes something seem more real. Having an idea of what you want to do rolling around in your head is one thing, but if you have it written down it holds you accountable in a way that just thinking about it does not. Keep a journal or jot your goals on a calendar. You will be surprised how much easier it is to remember to keep plugging away at a goal if you have it there to look at.

4.Be realistic. Oftentimes around the New Year we get motivated and inspired to do all sorts of wonderful things in the New Year. Unfortunately we are so excited about the prospect of a new year in which to change our lives we tend to shoot for the moon. New Year's Resolutions are usually goals that are so far out of our reach, it isn't a wonder they get forgotten before Valentine's Day. When setting a goal thing about whether or not it is realistically attainable within a year, or what ever time limit you want. If it isn't, think about whether or not there are parts of that goal that are attainable. Maybe you have decided you want to get a better education. A Master's Degree or Ph.D is a great ultimate goal, but getting enrolled in college or making better grades is something more immediately attainable.

5.Make it measurable. If you can't measure your progress, how will you know when you've reached your goal? For instance, if your goal is to be nicer, how do you measure that? Instead think about specific measures you can take to be nicer. Put your goals in terms of actions, not ideas.

6.Be specific. Don't be ambiguous when goal setting. Be specific about exactly what you wish to achieve. Don't just say, I want to lose weight or spend more time with my family. Set the goal to lose fifteen pounds, or spend one full day a week with your entire family.

7.Set a time limit. Open-ended goals are harder to attain. It is easier to put tasks that would put you closer to achieving your goal if you don't have a specific date or time set.

8.Set mini-goals. Don't get overwhelmed. Making a life change takes time and effort. Most goals can not be achieved all at once. Break your goal down into mini goals. If your ultimate goal is to lose twenty pounds by June 1, then break those twenty pounds down into smaller increments with time limits.

9.Have a plan. You've written down a realistic, specific goal with measurable mini goals and an attainable time limit. Your done, right? Not quite. How do you plan to accomplish your goal? You must have a plan. It is not just enough to decide you are going to do something, you need to know specifically how you will do it. It is important to have a specific and detailed plan. For example, If your goal is to quit smoking will you stop cold turkey, will you go to a doctor for a medical plan, or will you take over the counter medication to help you quit? Knowing how you plan to accomplish a goal is as important as having a specific goal.

10.Don't get discouraged. Frustration is the worst enemy of a goal. You've done everything right, you've set a specific and attainable goal, you have a time limit, mini goals and a plan, but still your goal seems out of reach. Maybe the time limit on some of your mini goals has passed and you aren't even close to achieving your goal and you are getting frustrated and feel like you might as well just give up. Don't. Step back and reassess your goals and your plan. If your not accomplishing your mini goals on your schedule, maybe the schedule needs revising. If your not able to stick to your plan, then maybe your plan needs to be changed. Do not just give up. Remember, this is no longer just a New Year's resolution, this is a life goal you made to make your life better. You can achieve it, it will just take time and work.

The most important thing to remember is that if you really want to do something, if you really want to make a positive change in your life, you can do it. And you don't have to wait for New Year's Eve to roll around to make goals and achieve them.

Source for statistics:

http://www.proactivechange.com/resolutions/statistics.htm