Top Ways to be Successful in your Resolutions

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Resolution: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem

1) Be Realistic- Create goals that are attainable. Goals should not be reliable on others for your success. The goals should be attainable and the best way to know if you are realistic if you look at your resolution and see excitement without fear. If the Goal is that Big that it scares you, then it might be a good idea to re- evaluate that goal and create a smaller goal. For example if you are a non runner- making a goal to run a marathon this year, might not be realistic for most. Instead an attainable goal might be to run a 10k or half marathon.   If you overweight creating a goal to lose a # of pounds that exceeds 20% of your current total body weight, might not be realistic for most.

2) Create Short & Long term Goals- The awe of resolutions is the end result. It's what we vision in our minds. We look "there" and we just aimlessly race toward the goal.  Every proven success story created short and long term goals toward the achievement of the resolution.  If the long term resolution is to lose weight and the goal being 40 lbs by the end of the year, then one would create a plan for just 5lbs each month for weight  loss. Break that down to just 1lb per week. 

3) Be Flexible - Life happens and events/crisis creates setbacks in our scheduled goals.  Be mentally ready to see setbacks and prepared to "let life happen" and keep your eye on the goal without giving up on it. Sometimes your plans need to be put on hold, re-evaluated and started again at different times. That's OK!

4) Allow Setbacks- Mental preparation for setbacks is incredibly vital to your resolution success. Not only does "life happen" like I mentioned in #3 but our minds, will, emotions are being changed and challenged during this time. Often times we experience emotions and difficulties in proceeding. That can make anyone give up on the goal. Challenges are difficult and as people, we all want to take the road that is travelled and easier.  It's a flight or fight response, emotionally.  Take this time now to tell yourself that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. That you'll want to quit and because of this standstill in the journey you'll find it easy to give up. But don't!

5) Create a support network - The best way to win a war is to have a strong army.  You will need an army around you to support you in this journey.  There are plenty of online networking groups these days to connect with. If online support is not your thing, then find a strong friend or in person community group that you can belong to that will support you. Do not do this alone! We are not built to!

6) Find someone who has been successful in the same resolution - Ideally the best way to reach your goal is to find someone that has! Let them be an ear to your problems, your difficulties. They will have empathy and compassion for your feelings and struggles. They also be there to help you celebrate your triumphs!

7) Find Ways to Motivate Yourself throughout the Journey - create long and short term rewards for your milestones in the journey toward your goal.  The best goals are treats to self like; vacations, clothing, treats, massage, etc. 

8) Honor your progress- Keep track of your progress. Not just physically but emotionally. How are you growing and changing? What is different about you week to week. Track that progress and each week take time to honor the progress and even the setbacks (because in our setbacks we do in fact grow)  We are to easy to beat ourselves up for our setbacks and failures. If we set the same amount of time aside to honor what we have accomplished then you will find more heart and strength toward success.