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8 Strategies to Turn Your New Year's Resolutions into Reality
By Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. and Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D.Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Romans began the practice of makingNew Year's resolutions when they named the first month after Janus, the god of beginnings. Janus had two faces, one looking back at the old year, the other looking forward to the new one. In order to secure good fortune in the future,January became the time when you ask forgiveness for past deeds and lookinward for areas to improve.Now that you have made your own personal resolutions - still an honored ritual atthis time of year - how do you avoid another universal tradition - breaking them?We all know that it's easier to say you are going to give up a bad habit than toactually stick to your new plan. As parents have told their children for centuries,"Do as I say, not as I do."You may have resolved to finally lose the ten pounds that have been plaguingyou for years, to start an exercise program you can stick with, to let go of your self-destructive smoking, drinking or over-spending habit. Or, perhaps you're oneof the 50% of Americans who vow to spend more time with family and friends thisyear. So where do you begin? And how do you increase the odds that you willcontinue? With the New Year, you have a clean slate, ready to take your dictation. Here are 8 tips to help you fulfill your resolutions.
1.
Decide on a realistic goal.
Make it a specific one you can attain. If youwant to be more physically fit, commit to taking a 30-minute walk threetimes a week. If weight loss is your goal, resolve to lose two pounds amonth so that you are 10 pounds lighter by summer.
2.
Make a public commitment.
Tell others about your decision. They willsupport you and encourage you to stay with your plan. Make a pledge totake yourself seriously as you change your behavior and life style.
3.
Begin, even if it is not an ideal start.
Often the hardest step to take isthe first one. Rather than waiting until the timing or situation is perfect, jump into your new routine. As Confucius observed centuries ago, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
4.
Continue taking small steps.
They will eventually get you where youwant to go if you keep moving forward. Don't overwhelm yourself by tryingto make strides that are too difficult. Continue to set short-term objectivesas you progress toward your long-term goal. You may need to refine your strategies along the way as you discover what works best for you.
5.
Keep track of what you are doing.
Keep a daily journal focused on how
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