Creating a New Years Resolution - What Just Doesn't Work

Many of us think of the New Year as a time to start fresh.  It's the perfect time to try something new, stop a bad habit, or to work on a nagging goal.  The problem?  Too many of us don't stick to it.  It's not that we can't do it, but our goals are not tailored to success.  Key things to consider and ask yourself when making a New Year's Resolution. 

1.  Are you ready to change?  How long have you thought about your resolution and have you actively started to get ready?

2.  Do you have a good support system?  Is this something that others want to see you accomplish?
3.  Do you have a clear vision of how your goal/habit will play out?



Picture from MSN health



Now that you have answered these questions (with confidence), use the SMART tool to create your goal:

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Realistic

T - Timely

Finally, lets get to it.  How do we make these SMART goals?  Over the past 10 years, experts have learned a lot about how we make and break habits, and 9 out of 10 times, we go about it the wrong way.  Here are some of the most common New Year's resolutions that are made year after year, and are forgotten just as much.

1.  Go on a diet (lifestyle changes) - Most experts will tell you that diets just don't work.  The problem is that we have to stick to a very specific and regulated plan that is totally unrealistic.  Researchers have even proven that diets often make us gain weight due to a boomerang action of hormones that control appetite and weight suppression. 

What does work?  Try making small changes, one at a time, that give a big punch.  Give up that daily soda, switch from that morning calorie packed muffin to a bowl of oatmeal, or swap your latte for a cup of java and non-fat milk.  You will be surprised at how far small changes can go!

2.  Get more Exercise/Join a gym (creating new habits) - This goal is TOO vague.  You will most definitely take a stab at it, but after 2 weeks, it will be too hard to avoid excuses.

What you should do?  Make your goal attainable by scheduling it into your day and make it enjoyable.  Try a new sport, buy personal training sessions, find a gym buddy.  You'll be surprised at how accountable you'll feel when you don't want to let someone down.

3.  Stop biting my nails (breaking that habit) - Unfortunately, researchers have proven that it is nearly impossible to break a habit with willpower alone.  The problem is that we have been doing it for so long that we are hardly aware of it.

How to fix this?  Start by becoming aware of the cues that trigger our habit.  According to an article in Psychology Today, we must first be able to understand that cravings beneath the habit before we can attack the action.  So start by making a journal of when you do the habit and what triggers it each time. 

You think you have what it takes?  I do.  Be sure to be confident, set realistic and attainable goals, and don't set yourself up for failure. 

Good Luck!

Em

p.s.  I'd love to hear what you have planned.  Leave a comment with your New Year's resolution!