Keeping New Year's Resolutions

It's already halfway into the first month of the new year 2013, but I bet you half of those who keep New Year's Resolutions (maybe even you?) have struggled to either get them going or have quit already. A lot of the time, people make broad and drastic goals like "lose weight" or "DIY renovation". Sometimes, making a resolution that is already a plan for failure. It can be daunting or seemingly too difficult for you to get started on a new life goal, and that is completely normal. What I suggest is to create smaller and more manageable tasks and implement checkpoints. For example, instead of just planning on losing weight for the year, how about breaking it down into months or even weeks. Not only is this less scary, but you'll also be seeing your progress more often. That will be a great boost of confidence and hopefully keep you on track. If, after a month, you see yourself doing well, reward yourself with a cheat meal, a movie, a night out, or another way you want to pamper yourself (as long as you don't go overboard!).

My Three Major Do's/Don'ts

     1. Do: Make a list of overall goals AND short-interval, specific, manageable goals.   

         Don't: Make a vague list of what you want done.                    

                                                                                                                                                           

Ask yourself these questions: What do you really want to get done? How can you get them done, one step at a time? Why do I want to do this? It's easier to say lose 1-2lbs a month than lose X amount of weight in 2013. This way you can gain focus and clarity. You will probably get MORE done, see better results, and feel more confident.

      2. Do: Stay Positive. Keep trying, even if you don't succeed at first.                                                                                             
          Don't: Face difficulty and give up right away.    
                                                                      
We've all heard this age-old line, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again". Sometimes you won't get what you want in life; that's a fact. But you will never know for sure if you could have done something unless you try your best and put 100% effort. Every effort counts into what you do. You earn your fill. Chances are you'll be able to do what you want, and find out things about you that you never even knew. Just believe in yourself and reach out to help if you need it. One of my favorite quotes from Dreamz is "what is the short-time pleasure of eating a sweet compared to a life of healthiness?"

      3. Do: Embrace change AND learn from the past                                                                                                                         
          Don't: Resist change and dwell on the past.

Is it easier to just "relax" and let things be the way they have always been? Of course. It's much harder to make changes in your life as opposed to clutching onto the same old routines. If you are unhappy, unsatisfied, or just plain angry about things, do something about it in a positive manner. Don't like how your relationship is right now? Talk about it, try to find solutions. If there are none, then move on with your head held high. You can't always wait for things to work out on their own. Be proactive instead of reactive.

To quote one of my favorite songs "You'll Never Walk Alone", "when you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark, at the end of the storm, there is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark". The past has shaped us and made us who we are but it doesn't have to stop us from achieving what we want. Live in the present and write your own future.

I want to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. 2013 can be a great year for us, but only if we want to make it happen. You CAN do it. Thanks for reading and live life to the fullest!
What are your goals for 2013?  Leave them in the comments below.