I gave some suggestions last year on how to make and keep New Year’s Resolutions. Here are a few more suggestions:
1. Make the resolutions concrete and measurable.
2. Be realistic – don’t set the bar too high.
3. Some progress is better than none. If you did set the bar too high to begin with, adjust it so that it is more realistic. For instance, let’s say that you were not exercising at all in 2007. You make the resolution to go to the gym at least 5 times per week and work out for one hour.
That’s a huge leap over nothing at all. If you find this goal is too challenging at this time, rather than giving up completely and going back to what you were before (0 times to the gym per week), adjust the goal to something that is more attainable, like 3 times per week for 30 minutes. This is still a substantial improvement over not working out at all.
4. Tell your significant other or a close friend of your resolution so that he/she can help support you in reaching your goals.
Good luck & Happy New Year!