Tips for keeping your New Year Resolution(s)

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Tips for keeping your New Year Resolution(s)
Sources Dr. Wallin, a clinical psychologist in
Camp Hill, PA and Joel Schwarz, author of How to
keep up with those New Year's resolutions,
researchers find commitment is the secret of
success. On-line _at_ http//www.about.com
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Set realistic goals
Habits and behaviors that are changed gradually
have a greater chance of success.
Plan ahead
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to
skip that class or have one more of whatever you
gave up. This could include calling on a friend
for help, practicing positive thinking and
self-talk, or reminding yourself how your bad
habit affects you and those you care about.
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Make tasks non-negotiable
People who are most successful at implementing
such changes are those who make their tasks
non-negotiable. For example, if you debate with
yourself at 530 a.m. whether you feel like
getting up to exercise, you will probably opt for
staying in bed for another half hour. But if
getting up for exercise is no more negotiable
than getting up for work, then you'll do it
regardless of how you feel about it. The same
goes for organizing your resolution!
Track your progress
Keep track of each small success you make toward
reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are
easier to keep, and small accomplishments will
help keep you motivated
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Reward yourself
This doesn't mean that you can eat an entire box
of chocolates if your resolution is to diet.
Instead, celebrate your success by treating
yourself to something that you enjoy that does
not contradict your resolution.
Allow for imperfection
No one is exactly on target all the time. In fact
you should expect to falter every now and then.
If you give in to temptation, do not use this as
an excuse to abandon the whole program. Learn
from your mistake and move on.
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Dont beat yourself up
Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you
achieve your goal. Do the best you can each and
every day, and take each day one at a time.
Stick to it
Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new
activity, such as exercising, to become a habit,
and 6 months for it to become part of your
personality. Your new healthful habits will
become second-nature in no time.
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Do it NOW!
If you're waiting for a more convenient time to
begin behavioral change, it won't happen. It's
almost never convenient to change ingrained
habits. Now is just as convenient as any time. If
you begin now rather than later, you'll have a
jump on a more satisfying future.
Make a pro-con list
It may help to see a list of items on paper to
keep your motivation strong. Develop this list
over time, and ask others to contribute to it.
Keep your list with you and refer to it when you
need help keeping your resolve.
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Submitted by Will M. Resident Assistant at
University of Dayton