How To Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions (Unlike Most People)

Do you know the failure rate for New Year’s Resolutions? So many people set them, but how many people fail to keep them?

I’ve seen statistics that show it at over 90% (yes, that’s 90% failure), and we all know the rule of thumb that 9 out of 10 diets fail.  I also discussed in a previous article the week when more resolutions are broken than any other – you guessed it, the first week of the year.

Clearly, regardless of how well meaning most of us are, we need to take a second look at our resolution setting if the odds are so heavily stacked against us.

What can you do to make sure your resolutions don’t fall by the wayside?   Here are some concrete, research and experience backed strategies you can use to keep your resolutions.

Tip #1: Set Realistic Goals

If you’re serious about making a change, then don’t just set a resolution because it sounds good (“I’m going to run a marathon this year” or “I’m going to visit every continent”).

Do something that really impacts your life, but be realistic – don’t give yourself an easy out to fail by setting a goal that you know in the back of your mind you won’t reach.

• For more, check out these 7 Keys For Setting Realistic Goals

Tip #2: Be Consistent

One of the most difficult things about making positive change in our lives is that we’re such creatures of habit. We do the same things and follow the same patterns every day – and any major life change is going to require us to modify our behavior.  In the short term, you can use willpower to do so – but in the long run, you want to change the underlying habit itself.

They key for that is to be consistent. Don’t miss workouts, don’t just stick to your resolutions “when you feel like it.”  I personally like to commit to daily action – and preferably at a specific time.

That’s why in personal development 101 (free) I encourage members to set aside a dedicated 15-30 minute block of time daily to work on their goals. Have it on the calendar, and making a part of your routine helps you build new, positive habits.

More on this subject:

• Paying Yourself First With Your Time
• Excellence as Habit
• There Is Not Secret of Success (Except This)

Tip #3: Write Down Your Specific Resolutions

In a previous article about The Seven Rules Of New Year’s Resolutions I mentioned a study that showed after 6 months, those who set a resolution were 10 times more likely to stick to their goals than the non setters (46% versus 4%).

I’ve also previously discussed a study (referenced below) that showed how subjects with written goals were more effective than those who didn’t write down their goals.

So, in short: set clear, specific resolutions, and write them down.

Tip #4: Take A First Step

One of the biggest reasons resolutions fail is because people never get started.  We come up with plans, and get motivated and pumped up to work on our resolutions – and then decide we’ll start “tomorrow.”

Tomorrow never comes, and the resolution is broken before it even gets off the ground.

So rather than looking too far ahead into the future and thinking about how amazing things will be when you accomplish your resolution – thing about today, this week, and what you can do to make progress right now. Take a first, imperfect step – rather than daydreaming about a perfect plan which may overwhelm you or get put off forever.

Spread The Word

Did you enjoy this article? If so, I’d really appreciate it if you take a moment to forward this to a friend, or share it on Twitter.  Best of luck with your New Year’s Resolutions!

Enjoy this article? You should Tweet This, or feel free to share it however you like using this shortened link: http://j.mp/newyearstips

Further Reading

This isn’t the end – just the beginning.  Get your free copy of personal development 101, spread the word if you enjoyed this article – and here’s more to help you take the next step:

• You Work Too Damn Hard To Make Excuses
• Life Regrets Of The Dying – How To Live Life With No Regrets
• You Are The Something You’ve Been Waiting For
• The Seven Rules Of New Year’s Resolutions
• Why Our New Year’s Resolutions Are Doomed Before We Even Begin – And What We Can Do About It

Stop Wasting Your Time – Start Accomplishing Your Goals

Check out How To Stop Wasting Your Time and Start Accomplishing Your Goals

Check out my recently released ebook. This is an early “beta” release – I’ll be adding to it and updating it based on your feedback.  At over 140 pages where I boil down the exact techniques you would expect to pay $250 an hour to learn from me one on one, it’s a tremendous value.

If you are serious about keeping your resolutions this year, I encourage you to take a look and see if it’s right for you: How To Stop Wasting Your Time and Start Accomplishing Your Goals

Are you ready for more? Read these reader favorites now:

1. The Seven Rules Of New Year’s Resolutions
2. Why Our New Year’s Resolutions Are Doomed Before We Even Begin – And What We Can Do About It
3. Personal Development 101 – Module 1 What The Most Successful People Have In Common
4. How To Stick To Your Goals During The Holidays
5. 7 Keys For Setting Realistic Goals

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