8
COVER STORY
STARTING YOUR RESOLUTIONS
• Create a schedule. Even more important than a specific deadline for your goals is to set a schedule of how you will reach the goal. Some goals are actually lifelong changes that you will continue after the goal is reached.
• Start following your plan immediately. Don’ t wait for inspiration to strike. The best thing to do is start on January 1st and start tracking your progress. If you’ re ready with your goal, don’ t say,“ I’ ll start tomorrow.” Start right away! Starting may actually be the toughest part, but once you get into a routine it should become easier.
• Create accountability. Set up dates for evaluation with a mentor. This helps you to stay focused and evaluates methods for improvement. It’ s even better if you find someone who has the same resolution.
• Remind yourself about your goals. For every day on your calendar or schedule, write down what you will do for that
What matters most to you? Do that.
day, what time you will do it, and don’ t forget to actually do it, no matter how busy you are.
• Focus on the process rather than the end goal. Take each step one at a time and be happy with your progress. The only way you’ ll get to where you want to go is to complete every small step along the way, checking it off with pride as you accomplish each step.
• Create your environment so that you will accomplish your goals. It’ s also good to get rid of habits that don’ t coincide with your goals and may contribute to you being unable to reach them.
MAINTAINING AND ACCOMPLISHING YOUR RESOLUTIONS
• Reward yourself. Determine ahead of time what rewards will be at small milestones of accomplishment. Have frequent small rewards and a“ grand prize” for completion.
• Remind yourself of your successes. It can be hard to maintain your motivation and dedication to making a change in your life when you can’ t see immediate results for your efforts. At each low point, have faith that is persisting and being consistent in reaching your goal will pay off in the long run.
• Face your fear of change. Fearing change often stops us from achieving a goal. Making a goal sounds good at the time, but then the fear of change surfaces. To avoid this happening to you, realize that your excuses are a way of covering up a
WINSPIRE: Empowering youth | January, 2017