At the beginning of the year, many of us set resolutions related to weight loss or other forms of self-improvement. Unfortunately, we aren’t always successful. In fact, recent research conducted by Richard Wiseman, a widely respected psychologist, suggests that our chances of success are low. While more than half of those who make resolutions strongly believe that they will succeed in their efforts (52%), only 1 out of every 10 people (12%) experience results that fit their expectations.
If you want to meet the aims of your New Year Resolutions, the following tactics can greatly increase your odds of a satisfactory outcome:
- Establish a clear focus – Often resolutions fail because they are too vague. Be sure to establish targets that are both clear and well-defined. For example, rather than simply wanting to lose weight and get in shape, determine specific weekly routines and benchmarks (such as exercise frequency and dates to have lost a set number of pounds).
- Get it in writing – Making sure your goals are clear and specific can help. However, it’s not easy to achieve a resolution if it’s in your head. Make sure you get everything down on paper, with as much detail as possible. Just as entrepreneurs benefit from business plans, you will benefit from a personal plan that turns your resolution into a step-by-step process.
- Work with the clock – It’s not easy to achieve New Year Resolutions if you haven’t set aside adequate time. Don’t just write your plan down and expect it to happen. Structure each element of the plan into your week. Be sure to create reasonable windows of time to accomplish each task.
- Don’t be outlandish – It can be easy when setting goals to go too far. The more difficult a resolution is to achieve, the more likely we are to quit out of frustration. Make sure that your targets are reasonable.
- Seek help – Establishing a system of support at the beginning of the year can make it much more likely that you will succeed with your resolution. Select loved ones whom you believe can be caring and helpful as you proceed. Tell them what you hope to achieve, and ask if they can be there when you need them.
If you want to achieve your New Year’s resolutions this year, the above tips can help. Specifically with weight loss, developing a comprehensive strategy with professionals can greatly enhance your chances of success. Contact us today for a free consultation.
