Lafleur

Lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more,
stick to your budget, take your lunch to work, make more time for yourself… Many of us make well-intentioned resolutions for the New Year, but did you know that most of us abandon them after barely a week or two? That’s right—it’s a national issue.

Here areten tips to help you make and keep the right resolution for you:

1. Limit yourself to one or two resolutions. Changing a habit is already a challenge. If you decide to go on a diet, work out three times a week and make your own lunch every day, you’re doomed from the start.
    
2. Be realistic. Set a goal you can achieve and a schedule with multiple milestones that you easily reach. Looking to save money? Begin by setting aside $20 a week for three months, then go up to $30 for the next three, after that to $50, and so on.
    
3. Identify the obstacles. From one resolution to the next, you likely know already what makes you veer off track each year, such as a lack of time, poor organization or excessive stress. Identifying these roadblocks is the first step in removing them.
    
4. Reward yourself. Stay motivated by treating yourself each time you reach a milestone. The key is to make sure the treat has nothing to do with your resolution. No cake for losing ten pounds! Instead, buy some new clothes or spend a day at the spa.
    
5. Keep an open mind. If one approach isn’t working, change your method. Not enough time for a gym workout three times a week? Alternate the exercise. Sign up for a fitness class, plan a sporting event with friends, or go on a weekend hiking trip.
    
6. Keep a journal. A daily roundup of your progress helps you stay objective and keep your resolution on track. Overspent your budget? Examine your expenses, and you might soon find the source of the problem.
    
7. Make a list of pros and cons. How does your resolution benefit you, and what are the downsides? Make a list with two columns, and update it regularly. Over time, you’ll find other items to add, to help keep you motivated.
    
8. Let others help. The ideal approach is to partner with a friend who is making the same resolution. Otherwise, join a support group of people who share your challenge, or ask a friend to intervene if necessary.
    
9. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Tell yourself that relapses are unavoidable. Instead of abandoning everything, think of each transgression as a sort of lesson. “Why did I surrender, and what can I do to avoid it next time?”
    
10. Time works wonders. According to experts, a new behaviour takes 21 days to become a habit, and up to six months to become an integral part of your life. In other words, keep your eyes on the prize!