Maker or Breaker? 6 Keys to Successful New Year Resolutions...

The New Year is here. Well, new Year's Eve is. For many it's customary to make Resolutions for the New Year. They, like us, come in all shapes, sizes and speeds. It may be time for a change. Or, time to freshen up. Perhaps try something new. 
Are you a New Year Resolution 'maker' or a 'breaker' ?

Some are serious, some fun. Some last a day, some a week. Yet, at some time your resolve, or your 'stickability' will be tested.

Follow these 6 Keys to Successful New Year Resolutions and follow to improve your ‘stickability’ through 2014.

1. Resolve: Accept that you’ll have good and bad moments and days. You’ll fall off the wagon. Get back on. Resolve to start again this afternoon, or tomorrow. You’re human. Humans make errors. It’s okay. When you repeat the same error then you’ve made a mistake. Giving up at the first or second hurdle is a mistake. Nothing good in life comes easily. Don’t look for short-cuts for in the end they will disappoint you. 

2. Make a Plan: Hope is good thing when it’s in your heart, but is tough if you’re blinded by it. Habits and routines are the foundation of most things you’d like to change – hence your resolution(s). A plan provides direction and guidance. Explore strategies to uncover your routines and habits. Try or create ways to reinforce new habits when working to break the cycle of past habits. Take a new outlook and new approach to an old resolution. Craziness is often said to be trying to get different results from the same (unsuccessful) ways.

3. Break it Down: Break your plan into more manageable objectives or goals, and smaller periods of time. Focus upon one or two core elements; many others will then fall into place. Focus for a day, then another; then a week, then another. Aim to progress over time, not all the time. Stack your moments, and days and success

4. Team Up: Do your homework. Talk with many, follow few. Work with your spouse/partner, coach or mentor, and squad members. Express your resolution as something you ‘want’ to do, not ‘need’ nor ‘have’ to do. You’re more likely to find support when those important to you understand it is something you want to do. Knowing it’s valued; rather than a compulsion or burden helps. If you usually find your own way, it may be time to consider a training partner, a coach or a squad.

5. Make it public: Promise yourself. Write it down. Write a blog. Construct a FB page. Tweet or Insta it. Follow up. Yet not every detail every minute every day. The glory is yours. Keep it that way for the most part. And, honestly, no-one really wants to know what you ate for breakfast, how many kilometres you cycled, or what café you’re at right now.  N-o o-n-e !

6. Build in success: Reward your progress along the way. Achieve smaller goals with mini steps along your journey. Focus on what you do to achieve each step rather than the final outcome. Graph it, tabulate it, draw it, paint or photograph it. Make a collage. Put it on the fridge. Have a t-shirt made: Front: “I made a resolution…”. Back:  “It wasn’t easy. I showed resolve. Success.”

All the best for 2019 !