New Years Resolutions: Making and Keeping

It is that time again. Americans have begun creating those infamous New Year's resolutions and unfortunately most will have been abandoned before that little groundhog gives his winter weather forecast. However, this year can be different. This year you can assure sticking to your resolutions. The key isn't will power, though more wouldn't hurt. They real key is making sound resolutions in the first place. Don't let this year's resolutions become a quickly fading memory.

Check your resolutions (assuming you have already made them) against these guidelines:

Attainable. Your resolution must be important to you; what you want to achieve, not what someone else wants for you. If something is truly important to you, you will discover ways to make it come true. Your parents or spouse may want you to go back to school and get your degree, but if you aren't interested you will likely give up after only a few courses.

Realistic. Make sure your goal is reasonable and not pie in the sky. One of the most common reasons people don't achieve their goals is because it isn't realistic. Losing 50 pounds in two weeks is not possible (and even if it were it wouldn't be healthy). You will get discouraged quickly if you don't see results and with unrealistic goals you generally won't.

Detailed. A resolution should be clear, concise and well-defined. Remember, the more thorough you are in defining your goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. Saying I will be friendlier next year isn't the same as saying I will say "good morning" to everyone I see in the morning.

Measurable. Here is a big one. You have to be able to check yourself along the way. Establish time lines and check-points. Measuring your progress will keep you on track and keep you motivated toward the end result. I have a goal of to write 150 hundred articles for Associated Content in 2008. I can check my progress by measuring weekly and monthly to make sure I hit my mark.

Shared. Tell a family member or close friend about your goal. This will make your resolution more real in your mind, and also allow friends and family to act as a support system. It will make you less willing to abandon your goals if someone one is asking about them. Also, in sharing your goals, you may find others with similar ones. It is easier to stay committed to working out three times a week with someone than alone.

Documented. Write your goals down on paper and post them prominently (refrigerated, desk, back of your front door). Seeing your goals daily helps you remain focused and aware that there is something you are working toward. Just the act of writing goals down will give you a better chance of achieving them. So there you are. Good Luck and Happy New Year.