So have you written up your list of New Year’s resolutions yet?
And, if so, are you determined to keep them this year?
In fact, if you’re like millions, you’re wondering how to finally accomplish all of your New Year’s resolutions and make 2009 your best year yet.
I’m determined to help you out.
Here are 7 tips on How to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions a Reality.
Please note that these first five tips come from the inspiring Joshua Rosenthal, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I went to school), who posted these fabulous tips on the Integrative Nutrition blog.
FYI, when presenting Joshua’s 5 tips below, I’m either presenting Joshua’s ideas verbatim (not very often) or I’m building on his fabulous ideas by revising them or adding to them — or even changing the order in which he presented them (more often).
So here then are 7 tips to How to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions a Reality:
1. Write down your New Year’s resolutions and then put them in a place — or even places where you can see them. This is my favorite of Joshua’s suggestions. For instance, after taking pen to paper, you could tape your list to your bathroom mirror or a prominent place in your bedroom. You could even put it on your desk (in a plastic folder) or stick it to your fridge with a magnet. (I recommend posting them on your refrigerator and near mirrors if you want to kick sugar or peel offf pounds.)
2. Imagine (or be clear about) what your life would look like once you achieve your goals. For instance, if you resolve to work out more often at the gym (one of my New Year’s resolutions), how would this benefit you? Would you have more energy, take more pride in your appearance, have a more cheerful demeanor and be more “together” so you can give to others? If your goal is to get out of debt and make more money, exactly how much do you want to earn? Or, if your New Year’s resolution is to find Mr. or Ms. Right in 2009, how would that feel to you and what would the person be like? Would you be more content and feel more fulfilled? Really delve into how your life would change if you stuck to your resolutions. Then take action to make them happen. (You do need to do homework to make these happen. For instance, you need to join or take yourself to a gym, redo your resume or post an ad on an online dating site, etc.)
3. Share your resolutions with a friend or loved one or on a blog or in an online group. I love this suggestion. (In fact, I just called my good friend Jill, and we’re going to show each other our lists within the next couple of days.) But I urge you to tell more than just one person. Wonderful readers of this Sugar Shock Blog, share your New Year’s resolutions here. If your goal is to break free of your sugar habit, tell fellow members of my online KickSugar discussion group. (If you’re not a member yet, I invite you to join this supportive place.) Whatever your resolutions are, you can probably find an online user group where you can get support. (Now that I’ve suggested that you spread the word online, I’ll share another of my New Year’s goals with you, dear readers. I, Connie, hereby resolve to get to bed earlier every night so I can get more recuperative sleep. How will that look in my life? I’ll be much more productive, focused, energetic, happy and proud of myself. I’ll ignore the fact that I went to bed at 2 a.m. last night though! LOL!)
4. Discover how your previous self-destructive past patterns, negative thinking or limiting beliefs have kept you from achieving your goals. It’s imperative to tackle the root of your counter-productive behaviors so that you can reach your goals. Examine what else has been going on in your life that’s been preventing you from sticking to your resolutions. For instance, are you in a stressful relationship that prompts you to down a pint of ice cream every night? Or are you NOT in a relationship and your overwhelming loneliness has been driving you to late-night cookie and candy splurges? Are you unhappy, unfulfilled or unsatisfied at work? Are you displeased with your relationship with your mother-in-law, sister or neighbor? Are your friends too negative and not on your wave length? Start confronting, changing and resolving these situations, and it’ll be easier to stick to your resolutions.
5. Reward yourself and pat yourself on the back after you accomplish your goals — even if they’re little ones. For example, Joshua suggests on the Integrative Nutrition blog: “If your intention is to lose weight and you lose 1 pound per week, pamper yourself with a massage.” Here are some other ways you could reward yourself: You could buy yourself flowers, take yourself to a movie, go window shopping, get a manicure (if you’re a woman), take yourself to a museum or even congratulate yourself while looking in the mirror. You might even want to hug yourself — or better, yet, have your significant other or friends hug you when you achieve goals.
Would you like more help to make your Resolutions a Reality? Now for 2 tips of my own.
6. Get help from the renowned “Goals Guy” Gary Ryan Blair on Wed., Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. Eastern when he appears on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show. You can listen live or later. You’re in for a real treat with Gary, a renowned strategic thinker, author, speaker, coach and consultant, who’s dedicated to people win by creating focused, goal-directed lives.
7. Learn about Gary’s effective, life-changing “Got Resolutions?” program right now. Gary can help you to dramatically increase the odds of making ALL your dreams — whatever they may be — come true in 2009. “Got Resolutions?” is a popular, much-acclaimed personal leadership program that provides a step-by-step system for setting and achieving your New Year’s Resolutions. If focus, discipline, and accountability were among the things that prevented you from achieving your resolutions in the past, then “Got Resolutions?” is for YOU! Bestselling author Brian Tracy said this program is “for serious people, who want to make serious and immediate change in their lives” because “Gary Ryan Blair will show you how to finally turn your Resolutions into reality!” Learn now how to actively fulfill your resolutions this year.
Let me leave you with one parting thought. If you don’t achieve your New Year’s Resolutions this year, how would you feel? Disappointed or angry at yourself? Frustrated that your life is at exactly the same frustrating place it was last year? Discouraged that you haven’t moved to life to a better place?
Don’t let yourself down. Take action now to turn your Resolutions into Reality.
Wishing you warm wishes for a fabulous, sweet, productive, fulfilling, happy 2009.
And make sure to join the Goals Guy Gary and me on Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. Eastern on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show. Remember, you can download an audio replay after the show is over and even get it on iTunes.
Special thanks again to Joshua Rosenthal for his helpful, inspirational New Year’s resolution post on the Integrative Nutrition blog. And many thanks to “Goals Guy” Gary Ryan Blair for offering such a fabulous Got Resolutions? program and for appearing on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show on Wed., Jan. 7.
So what are your New Year’s resolutions? Share them here.