How to stick your new year’s resolutions

Did you make any new year’s resolutions this year? I resolved to keep off the weight I lost last year, do strength training 2-3 times week, and write more blog posts.

How about you? Whatever you resolved, to make this the year you achieve your goal, you need to do more than just make a resolution. You need a plan.

Here’s my simple 3-step plan for making your new year’s resolutions stick.

1. Write it down.

Did you know that writing down your goals is one of the most sure ways to achieve them?

A study of Harvard graduates ten years after graduation found that only 3% had written goals, 13% had verbal goals, and the remaining 84% had no written or verbal goals. Those graduates with verbal goals were earning twice that of those with no verbal or written goals. But those with written goals were earning ten times as much.

Try this exercise: 

Write down five to ten goals for 2019.
Now pick three that you would really like to accomplish in the next 90 days.
Then pick the one you feel would make the biggest difference in your life (Make that Goal #1.)
The next step is to break down that goal into tasks and write them down.
Then pick one of these tasks and begin it.
When you’re done, cross it off the list and start on the next task.

For example, if you “organize my office” is your #1 goal, your tasks might include filing papers, setting up a follow-up system, rearranging your workstation, clearing your desk, decluttering desk drawers, organizing office supplies, updating your address book, cleaning out your email box, reorganizing electronic folders on your hard drive, and so on.

2. Make yourself accountable.
One of the best things you can do (next to writing down your goals) is to have someone hold you accountable.

Share your written goals to a friend or family member and ask him or her to check in with you on a regular basis. You will be more inclined to stick with your plan if you know that someone will be asking you about your progress.

Or find an accountability buddy – someone with a similar goal. Check in with each other once a day or once a week.
3. Be consistent.
The key to success with any endeavor is consistent effort.

“Determine what specific goal you want to achieve. Then dedicate yourself to its attainment with unswerving singleness of purpose, the trenchant zeal of a crusader.” ~Paul J. Meyer, founder of Leadership Management International 

Set aside 15-30 minutes a day or 1-2 hours one or two days each week. Even if you spend just 15 minutes a day, that adds up to 1 3/4 hours a week or 7 hours a month. Just think of what you can accomplish in that time! When you make progress toward your #1 goal every day, you will eventually achieve your goal. And then you can begin to tackle Goal #2.

I’d love to read about your new year’s resolutions – use the comments section below as an opportunity to write them down!

The post How to stick your new year’s resolutions appeared first on Declutter Your Life with Donna Smallin Kuper.