How to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick This Time
By Dawn and Candace

The tried and true New Year’s resolutions ritual has suffered a backlash in recent years. One survey discovered a 50 percent drop among Americans who take the time to write down their goals. We suspect it has something to do with the fact that by the time April rolls around, we’ve yet to lose a pound or put down the cigarettes. Promises we made to ourselves with the best of intentions and such strong determination are quickly forgotten. Studies estimate that anywhere from eight to 15 percent of us actually keep our resolutions.

That’s demoralizing. No wonder so many of us fall off the wagon.

Just because we haven’t been successful in the past, however, doesn’t mean we should throw out this time honored tradition. It makes sense to take stock in what has gone wrong in the past and brainstorm ways to improve your life over the coming year. Instead of giving up this ritual, let’s look at how we can make the process more effective.

1. Big drastic changes don’t work. Choose your battles, and set smaller, monthly goals. Baby steps are the key to success.

2. Forgive yourself for the mistakes and missteps you’ve made in the past (one too many doughnuts, too many shoes on the credit card, jumping into relationships before you were ready, etc.).

3. Make a list of all the things you want to change in your life, from the biggest to the smallest. Then pick the top two or three things that need to be changed, whether it is losing weight for health reasons or saving money because your finances are stretched thin. When you’ve accomplished those tasks, review the list for more things to work on. Too many changes at once will cause unbalance. If you’re anxious about your list, you probably won’t get anything done. You’ll look for ways to procrastinate.

4. Resolve to have more fun in 2009. Yes, we want to lose weight, make more money, and be better mothers. When it comes to making resolutions, we’re suddenly very adult and responsible. Maybe that’s the problem. Our resolutions list has duty and obligation written all over it. When prioritizing your list of things to accomplish, make sure to include one fun activity that you’ll do throughout the year.

5. Use December to get a head start. For example, you know that on January 2^nd the gyms will be overflowing with people determined to lose weight. Why not start exercising now? Yes it’s sort of a date trigger, but it’s never too early or too late to get going. Read Donna Marie Williams’ Sister Feelgood Blog on our site to get motivated. If you don’t have a partner the blog can be your partner and cheerleader. Wouldn’t that be great!

On the way to change know that everything takes time and the little steps you take will become great strides. So don’t worry if you backslide. Recognize the misstep, acknowledge it, and keep moving forward.