How To Create The Ultimate New Years Resolution - And Stick To It!

New Year’s Resolutions come up frequently in my office around this time of year.

We all want to know what makes a resolution stick, why some people are able to create successful resolutions every year, and how we can do it ourselves!

As a psychotherapist I’ve learned from people who are great resolution makers who sit on my therapy couch – CEOs of large companies, successful entrepreneurs, brain surgeons, and top lawyers. How can we learn from these ‘A-type’ personalities to create a more successful year for ourselves?

Here are my top tips on how to set great resolutions in 2013:

1. It’s all about will power.

Which means there’s really no such thing as a ‘good resolution’ or ‘bad resolution.’ Choose the goal/resolution that you want and go for it. If a resolution doesn’t work, it’s time to accept responsibility for it, and not lay blame on the resolution, the time of year, the stress in your life, or your partner. Your successes (and your failures) lie in your own hands. Use this to your advantage!

2. Set yourself up for Success.

Most people set ‘resolutions,’ or ‘goals’ but don’t create objectives, which are the mini-milestones that enable you to reach the end goal. Objectives are best achieved when they require the help of others. For example, if your resolution is to fit into your pre-baby jeans, then some great objectives would be to

• Make an appointment with a nutritionist
• Find an exercise class that you enjoy and sign up, and
• Enlist the help of a running buddy and make plans to run once per week.

3. Don’t overwhelm yourself.

Set attainable, reasonable objectives that you’ll find fun and not unachievable. Remember: it’s always better to perform beyond your own expectations than to underachieve. Your progress will be more sustainable when the goals are reasonable.

4. Don’t forget: A resolution is ideally something that can last throughout the year.

Picture yourself continuing your new habits throughout the year (visualize) and you’re more likely to make it to 2014 a success!