It’s been a fun Christmas Break and now we head into the New Years where we begin thinking of this past year as well as this New Year to come.   It’s human to start thinking about what we accomplished; what we may have not accomplished; what we want to accomplish; and what we may just give up on.

Really, when you stop and think about it, it’s kind of silly that we resolve to be better only once a year.   In my opinion, it’s better to ‘check-in’ and resolve to be better on a daily; weekly and monthly basis.    As Karen Lamb once said “A year from now, you may wish you had started today.” 

Yes, it’s good to make yearly goals, yet I believe the best way to accomplish your end goal is to break them down into smaller more realistic goals.    Here are what I feel are the top three New Year’s Resolutions that commonly are broken:

• Lose Weight and Get Fit
• Learn Something New
• Get out of Debt and Save Money

People usually take these goals and make it huge and do not achieve the end result.    Why tell yourself that you’re going to lose 30 lbs by spring; learn how to be a chef in the upcoming year; eliminate your debt by the end of the year; when in reality, it takes much longer to accomplish all of these things?    Sure, it’s possible, yet if you resolve with this and make too many lofty goals, you’ll be disappointed in yourself and the outcome.

Here’s a few tips that I feel will help you achieve and be successful with your goals and resolutions:

1. Set a lower and realistic goal (Instead of losing 30lbs; start off with losing 5lbs in a shorter period of time)
2. Pick one (Instead of having 3, 4, or even 5 goals that you’re working on, pick one and make that your primary focus until you achieve it, once achieved, work on the next one)
3. Tell friends and family (You’d be surprised about the power of being vocal with your goals.   The more you tell other people, the more you will hear yourself and the more it becomes real)
4. Reward Yourself (For example, If you’re working on getting out of debt and saving money, pat yourself on the back by buying yourself a $6.00 Starbucks Hot Cocoa when you pass on that $60 new pair of jeans)
5. Start your Goals later (Instead of setting goals at the turn of a new year, try setting them at the turn of a new season.  Spring time is a great time of year to get some momentum)

In the end, I am a true believer in Goal setting.   As I’ve learned over the years, you really need to Keep it simple; measurable; attainable; realistic; and timely.   Oh, and one last thing, have FUN with it, as whether you accomplish or fail at your goals, it’s a win-win.   When you accomplish your goals, you will feel a greater sense of self worth and satisfaction.   When you fail at your goals, you will learn and grow and become better at realizing your true potential and be able to re-prioritize; re-set; re-establish yourself.   Either way, remember that we have an eternity to fulfill our divine destiny.

Happy New Years and Happy Resolutions!