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New Year's Resolutions and You

© Tara Kuther

It's here already, the year's end. Many of us view a new year as a time for evaluation and assessment of our lives and our journeys. What goals did you set for this year? Did you achieve them? Where would you like to head in the coming year? This month we focus on resolutions. Let's make this coming year a turning point in life, a time to make much-needed changes.

Choosing Resolutions
Throughout this month, periodically set time aside to think about what you really want. Carefully consider each resolution. Close your eyes, relax, and imagine succeeding at your resolution. What does it feel like?

Take time to evaluate other choices. Imagine each of the other possibilities. Until you imagine the possible outcomes, you may not realize how badly you want to change. Before committing yourself to a resolution, consider why you`d like to make this change. This is your resolution, a change that you are making for yourself, not someone else. Be sure that this is what you want.

Decide on only one or two major resolutions. Your goal is to succeed, so you don't want to over-burden yourself with too many changes at once.

Planning and Your Resolution
Planning is key to making resolutions that you can keep. Set realistic goals. Keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed by breaking your resolution down into small steps or subgoals. Psychological research shows that gradual changes are more likely to be successful than are sudden changes. Make you list of subgoals as long as necessary.

What daily behaviors must change in order to make big changes? Think about how you can achieve each subgoal. Make your plans in writing; it will make you feel more committed to your plans. Consider setting dates for your subgoals.

Plan to reward yourself. Simple daily rewards for meeting your daily goals will help you to make big changes gradually. What can you use as rewards? Anything that you value. Perhaps a little quiet time to yourself? Time to read a good book (even 20 minutes!)? Look for ways to treat yourself well.

Get Psyched for Change
The success of your resolution lies in your own motivation. How do you get motivated? Carefully consider the benefits of achieving your resolution. On paper, list all the benefits you can think of. Now imagine each of these positive outcomes. This is your motivation for change.

Now consider the big picture, what it will feel like to have achieved your resolution. Remember that the change process is a journey and will take time. Try to keep the big picture in focus.

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