Professional
Development
10 Tips to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolution
Author: Louise Smith
Chances are at some time in your life, you’ve made a New Year’s resolution — and then broken
it. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to make change and then not following through. If your
resolution is to take better care of yourself and get healthy, you will have a much better year if your
resolution sticks. Here are ten tips to help you get started.
1. Be Realistic
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to
NEVER eat your favorite food again is setting you up to fail. Instead, strive for a goal that is attainable,
such as avoiding it more often than you do now.
2. Plan Ahead
Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on
your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31st arrives.
3. Outline Your Plan
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have that piece of cake.
This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding
yourself how your “bad” will affect your goal.
4. Make a “Pros” and “Cons” List
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time,
and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping
your resolve.
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