The Resolution Solution

by Brandon Jubar

It's a fact. Every year, millions of people make new year's resolutions that will be long forgotten by the end of January. Here's another fact: most people have already broken their resolutions be the time the Rose Bowl is over! But some people don't fit that mold. Some people make resolutions that they really keep! How do they do it? What's their secret?

It's actually easier than you might think.

Step 1: Plan on Keeping Your Resolution

Judging by the super-extreme, over-the-top goals that some people come up with, it's safe to say that, at least at some level, they really don't plan on keeping their resolutions. When a goal is unrealistic, then failure becomes the reality.

"I'm going to exercise every day and avoid fast food altogether" may be a reasonable resolution for someone who already exercises four or five days a week and hits a burger joint once or twice a month. But it's completely unrealistic for the person who doesn't exercise at all and super-sizes his lunch every day!

Set a realistic goal that can be achieved with a reasonable amount of effort and focus. That's a plan that will allow you to keep your resolution.

Step 2: Write Down Your Resolution

It's easy to believe that any resolution worth keeping is easy to remember. That line of reasoning says that if something is truly important you certainly won't forget it. Your best bet however, is to turn that reasoning around. If something is truly important, it's certainly worth writing down!

Writing down your resolution serves at least two basic purposes. First of all, having your goal in writing truly helps you focus on it. Physically seeing it written down makes it real; more than just a nice thought. And second, writing it down forces you to think it through. Is it worthwhile? Is it realistic? Is it something you can commit to doing?

Think it through, write it down, and focus on it every day.

Step 3: Share Your Resolution

It's true that we are our own worst critics. But it's also true that we are our own worst bosses. Let's face it: we have a hard time holding ourselves accountable for anything. And in regards to new year's resolutions, we can easily convince ourselves that there are at least a thousand good reasons for not sticking to it. So share your resolution with someone!

When you share your resolution with a family member or close friend, you automatically create accountability. There is now someone else who will say, "How's that new year's resolution coming?" That other person won't accept the lame excuses we make to ourselves. And if the person is truly someone close, we won't want to let him or her down.

So tell your resolution to someone close in order to create accountability and motivation.

Stepping Further

The new year is an excellent time to start changing your life for the better, but the greatest resolution in the world isn't worth anything if you don't keep it. So this year, do it right. Plan on keeping your resolution by being realistic. Write down your resolution to make it real and to help you focus. Then share your resolution with someone close who will hold you accountable and encourage you along the way.

As you continue on through the year, keep looking at your goal. Adjust it if you need to. You can broaden it or pare it down, as long as it remains realistic. And keep talking about it with other people, especially if it's a goal that would help them too. The more people on board, the easier it is to stay on course.

Don't just play games; use this resolution solution and make this an exception year!

Life Applications:

What is your new year's resolution?
Who have you shared it with?
How are you doing so far?

Copyright 2006-2009 by Brandon Jubar
All rights reserved.