How are Your New Year’s Resolutions Holding Up?
(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)February 4, 2009 by Erin Casey
It’s the beginning of February: How are you doing on your resolutions?
Are you still exercising, avoiding cigarettes, eating dinner with your family, saving money, packing a lunch instead of eating out, making those extra sales calls, volunteering regularly and (fill in the blank)?
You’re not alone if your commitment to your goals has faltered; it’s easy to slip back into old habits. One of the keys to staying on track is to write down your goals and put them where you’re reminded of them daily. If your weight-loss goal is posted on the fridge, you’ll see it when you’re in the mood for a late-night snack, and you’ll be forced to make a conscious decision about whether you really want that second (or third) brownie.
Another key to keeping your resolutions is creating new thought patterns. One of the best ways to do this is to read idea-inspiring books. Whether it’s the biography of a person whose success you admire or a book on how to achieve your goals, feeding your mind with positive, thought-provoking messages can change your life.
Here’s a recommended reading list for February:
48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. Check it out at www.48days.com.
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Being optimistic about 2009 has helped me stay focused on all my resolutions. I have incorporated my achievement list, which highlights all the positive things I have been able to accomplish since the first of the year. Never focus on the negative, my achievements help me to see that I am being productive and on track.
Greatly enjoy your blog, thanks!
My 2009 resolutions have already changed a great deal—I’m going through a couple of big transitions and, as I try to finetune my next steps, I’m constantly rewriting that goals list . . . The good news is I’m finding more clarity now, so hopefully I’ll get to a “final” list soon. It certainly helps to fill my mind with good information and inspiration from folks who have mastered the areas I want to master.
Ps: Just wanted to add an “Amen, sister” to your Dan Miller recommendation. I found Dan while working for a business magazine in the past, and think he is fabulous. I’d also recommend his “No More Mondays” book and just about anything by Seth Godin.
I found that the only way for my resolutions to stick is to break them down into steps. For example, in order to complete my AA degree this year I must complete 3 classes per semester therefore 3 different steps toward achieving my goal. It works for other things to like increasing my fitness routine. I”ve increased my yoga practice to 20 minutes 3 times a week. In May, I hope to increase it to 30-40 minutes. By September I hope to reach my 1 hour goal. Breaking down into little steps makes it easier to manage, I can see the results of these little steps and it encourages me keep on task.