Tips on Keeping Goals and New Year Resolutions
One of the most common difficulties after deciding on a New Year Resolution is trying to make sure how to keep to the resolution. What do you want to improve about yourself, your life? Would you like to return to school to achieve another degree? Would you like to be two sizes smaller? Would you like to actually have your home organized? You can pick more than one New Year's Resolution if you are not too busy. Only take on a resolution you think you can handle.
There are two different types of resolutions: short term and long term. Long term resolutions should be goals, such as loose 25 pounds over the next year. They should be broken down into short term goals, such as loose 3 pounds in one month. By breaking long term goals down, you can better achieve them at an even pace instead of rushing into the project and loosing interest or going too slow and dropping the project.
But how to remember?
It is really easy to say something that you will do, then forget what you said even an hour later. When a goal is made, we need to keep that goal as best we can. So here are a few tips for both motivation and how to remember your resolutions.
- Have pictures of your goals - Is your goal to fit into your old pair of pants? Put those pants on a chair where you work out. If you desire to learn a new skill, have pictures of others using that skill. Some examples are pictures of fine calligraphy, a new house, a travel destination, a new security system, etc. Put the pictures in your work out area of your home, your hobby table, etc.
- Have a check list of your goals - Get on your computer and list your goals. For long term goals, have a year goal sheet. For short term goals, list your goals by the month. If you even have goals that are more short term than that, have weekly sheets. Once you have fulfilled the goal by week, month, or year; cross a red line through the goal. The more red lines you see, the higher your self-esteem and feeling of accomplishment will be. This will also help you finish more goals! Try to place your check list near the front door. This time every time you leave your house, you can feel accomplished and motivated on your way to work.
- Have a dream wall - A dream wall is a combination of a check list and pictures. You should have long term goals on a dream wall because this area is for anything that you wish to succeed in. If you want to someday live on a boat or climb a mountain, have a picture of a boat or mountain on the board or wall along with the name of what you wish to accomplish. One of the most important factors of a dream wall is where the dream wall should be. Place your life's goals in your bedroom. Each morning you will wake up and see everything you wish to achieve in life. It's great for motivation.
- Tell others about your goal - Albert Einstein had a great trick to keep working on projects he didn't think he could finish. When he just wanted to drop the project, he remembered that he told the goal to the press. By telling your family and friends, it will help you try to be true to your word. It is not just about your goal at this point, it is about your dignity and respect.
- Have a goal partner - The best way of getting through something is by not going in alone. Ask a friend if they would like to work out with you twice a week. Find a friend who is an artist and who is interested in calligraphy. Maybe they know something that you don't that can help you learn and reach your goal.
Good luck!