Six Tips to Make Your New Year Resolutions a Reality

It’s the dawn of a bright and shiny New Year; do you know how you’ll end 2012?

Every year around this time, millions of Americans pause and reflect on the previous twelve months; taking an inventory of the good, the bad, and yes-even the ugly in their personal and professional lives and resolving that the next year will be different. We vow to do things like lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, or reduce expenses and expand our client base. Or perhaps we resolve to spend more time with our family and friends and less time working.

We each begin the year with the best of intentions, and sadly by end of February most of us are back to our same old habits, our New Year’s resolutions long since forgotten.

Are you ready to beat the odds?
Are you ready to bring it?
Then grab and pen and paper and let’s get started.

Six Tips to Make Your Resolution a Reality

Resolution to Reality Tip #1 –Brainstorm Your End of Year Goals

Decide on all of the goals that you want to achieve by the end of 2012, be as specific and detailed as possible as you write each of them down on your page. Take some time with this step; don’t leave any goals that you want turn into reality for 2012 out at this point.

Resolution to Reality Tip #2 –Choose One Goal

We are a country of overachievers; therefore, we think if one goal is good, then two surely must be better. In this case, please choose your single most important goal, the one that you most desire to become a reality by the end of the year. Circle your one choice on your piece of paper.

Resolution to Reality Tip #3 –Embody Your Choice

Close your eyes and imagine yourself at the end of 2012; see yourself having achieved your desired goal. Look down and see your slimmer body or even you enjoying quality time with your family.

Next, ask yourself silently, how does this feel? Is it a feeling of happiness, warmth, joy, or something else? Keep your eyes closed and allow the positive feelings to come to you, whatever they are. Take three deep breaths as you really feel into your choice. Then, chose one word that best describes the feelings associated with your goal, write down word next to your goal. (Please don’t skip this tip; it’s important to identify your feeling word!)

Resolution to Reality Tip #4 –Streamline Your Goal and Create Milestones

Now it’s time to take out your paper or computerized calendar and start streamlining and planning your one goal. For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds by the end of the year, you could streamline your goal into just two pounds a month or even losing just one pound every 15 days.

Take some time to decide the best way to simplify or streamline your goal. Next, create milestones on your calendar to guide you throughout the year. Having goals written down where you look consistently is critical keeping your focus throughout the year.

Resolution to Reality Tip #5 –Add Your Word to Your Milestones

Next, take your embodiment word from Tip 3 and write into your calendar next to your milestones. This word will serve as a reminder to check-in with yourself, and get in touch with the feeling that you most want to have by the end of the year.

The great news is that you’re training your body to feel what it’s like to have your final goal at each milestone along the way. And by staying connected to your feelings, you’ll be encouraged to achieve the next milestone and then the one after that too!

Resolution to Reality Tip #6 –Take Action and Seek Support

Without consistent action your resolution is just a dream, so this is where you commit to take the necessary daily steps to achieve your goal. And don’t forget to ask for support from your family, friends, and even co-workers too; they can help cheer you on towards your milestones each month. Make your resolution to reality process fun; you might even consider asking others how you can support them in achieving their resolutions too.

Most of all, don’t forget to bring it!

And cheers to you in advance; if you follow these tips, you’ll be so proud on December 31, 2012 that you beat the odds and made your resolutions a reality.