4 resolution tips that will set you up for success

As the fireworks of New Year's eve fade into the distance, and Monday night's sweet-smelling champagne develops a new stench in your fabulous New Year's eve outfit (that you're probably still wearing), there will be - like there is every year - a moment of clarity. This year will be different. This is the year that I will lose weight, save money, get organized, take a risk. For so many of us, sometime in mid-February, enthusiasm fades and we fall back to our old habits. We'll give our goals the occasional lip service until next New Year when we claim that year as the year we really make a difference.

How do we avoid that? How do we set ourselves up for success? Well, first off we'll define what success in these goal areas will look like. Next we'll break it down into daily tasks. Finally, we have to be willing to achieve the goals we set, and if we are, proclaim them to our family and friends. I'm sure these ideas aren't new to me, but these are the four things that I find crucial in my own success. I'll share the details with you after the break.

Define success
What does success in this goal area look like. If for example, you want to lose weight, consider what size you want to be, what specific outfit do you imagine fitting? Imagine yourself, one year from now, having achieved this goal. How is your life different? Are you more confident, healthier, more attractive? Maybe you want to get organized. What does it mean to you to be an organized person? Your front table is probably clear of mail. You are more relaxed because you're not spending time searching for missing paperwork and you probably feel proud of the space you're in. Defining what success looks like for you is critical. It isn't enough to know what you want, but you need to imagine yourself successful at it.

Break it down
If you think you have 365 days to achieve your goal you're more likely to put it off or under-value the importance of taking specific action today. Instead, try making daily goals. Take again the example of losing weight. What daily decisions lead to that final goal? Write them down and check them off each day. You'll want to consider things like eating breakfast, packing a lunch, and going for a walk. These are clear, measurable and most importantly, daily. Each day is manageable and you get to experience success over and over. It's motivating every time you tick off your daily list. If you fall behind on a day your goal is not shot, simply pick it up tomorrow.

Reality Check
Wanting something isn't enough. Now that you know what it will take to be successful, ask yourself if you are willing to do what it takes. Sometimes the big goal is appealing but when we look at the daily tasks that contribute to its achievement, they are not sacrifices that we find worthwhile. Be honest with yourself. Tweak your goals until you are satisfied with the outcome that your efforts will produce.

Shout it from the mountains!
If you're serious about achieving your goal, let people know. This has a two-fold affect. You'll benefit from the encouragement and positive support from your friends, and you will feel some responsibility to follow through. If you're the only one who knows that you are trying to lose weight, you will more easily fall into party snacking. If your friends know how hard you're working, they are more likely to have healthy options ready for you and you are less likely to indulge with all eyes on you.

If you're looking for a way to track your progress, check out some of these resolution management tools. How do you set goals and make resolutions for the new year? What has been your most successful technique?

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