- 64% will keep them after one month
- 46% will keep them after 6 months
- 10% will keep them for a year
Depressing statistics, for sure - but here are a few guidelines to help you make - AND KEEP- your resolution this year.
1) ESTABLISH A CLEAR OBJECTIVE FOR WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO
CHANGE AND THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME YOU'D LIKE TO ACHIEVE.
2) WRITE IT DOWN - Be specific
3) REMIND YOURSELF OF THE BENEFIT OF REACHING YOUR GOAL.
4) MAKE A PLAN - How will you accomplish it?
5) ELIMINATE OBSTACLES - Identify habits that are counter productive.
Remove temptation whenever possible and ask yourself what are
the stmbling blocks standing in the way of your goall and success.
6) MAKE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE: Tell a friend; tell a spouse; tell
everyone you know about your goal. Have an email reminder
send you frequent notices to keep you on track.
7) EXPECT BACKSLIDING - It's inevitable!!!!!!!!!!!!! Backsliding occurs
when we revert back to old behaviors, and the natural reaction is
"to beat yourself up" and feel discouraged. This is when the
resolution starts to unravel and feelings of defeat set in. It's
important to remind yourself that you're only human, and to try
again. FORGIVE YOURSELF! Accept the fact that making change
is hard, and slip-ups are natural. Stay with it!!!!!!!!!!
8) CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS YOUR GOAL:
9) DON'T MAKE YOUR GOAL TOO DIFFICULT: Aim low (but not too low!)
and avoid setting yourself up for defeat by creating a "pie-in-the-
sky" WISH. GOALS and WISHES are worlds apart.
10) TRY YOUR BEST: After all, isn't that all we can ask of ourselves?
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Ancient Babylonians believed that the way in which they started the new year was the direction in which the year would go (hence the first New Year's Resolutions). I believe that, too, and so I plan to start 2011 with a clear desk and a clear idea of my goals for the coming year. I hope you'll do the same.
Wishing you all the joys of the season, and the happiest, healthiest, most productive year ever.
As always, be well, be safe, be organized! xxx's
Nancy
NEED SOME LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS?
What's in Your Closet? Do you have gifts stashed away that you meant to give out last year? Most of us have several things we've stowed away over the year. Now's the time to figure out who might like these items.
Fresh flowers are always well-received............especially if they're in a nice vase. Back to your closet to see if there are any vases you don't use. Stick some flowers in one, tie a ribbon around it, and VOILA! Instant last-minute gift. (This also works for cookies or baked products: Put them on a nice plate; wrap in cellophane; tie with bow.
Lottery tickets tucked inside a holiday card - always cute, cheap, easy and fun to receive!
Picture the smile on the recipient's face when you give the gift of a meaningful photo. You can pick up a frame anywhere, or If you have a little time, go to Kinko's and they can turn a photo into a calendar or ornament for $10-$15.
Charitable donations: Look on-line; almost all causes have a web-site for a related charity. (Tip: Try to pick a charity the recipient cares about).
