What You Need to do to Make Resolutions Stick

When we make a resolution, there is a sense of confidence that there will be a victorious or successful outcome. However, when that is declared without first preparing the mind, you may win the battle but lose the war. Hence a resolution should not be a weak commitment made in the excitement of the New Year hype.

Resolutions require a winning attitude and mental preparation to empower yourself to conquer the insecurities within. You must combine the power of intellect with the passion of heart. 

Intellect is brilliant for reasoning whereas the heart ignites creativity. The strengths of the intellect are rationalizing and analyzing, whereas the strength of the heart is envisioning the big picture to bring it all together.

Those who rely on intellect alone run out of enthusiasm and those who rely on heart alone lose touch with reality. 

Intellect is ideal for the mechanical nuts and bolts that create structure and order.  Following are questions to consider to fine tune the intellect:

Who can help you achieve the results?  Is there someone you know who is looking to obtain a similar goal or has already accomplished what you want to achieve?  Form a partnership.
What actions can you take today to achieve the result? Even the smallest actions are significant.
Where will you find the resources to achieve the results? Resources are time, money, enthusiasm, attention and continuous support.
Why is the resolution important to you?  When one has a big enough “why,” moving forward becomes easier. 

Results follow when your plan is fueled with a heart full of dreams. Let us now take a look at how to support those dreams.

Believe in yourself, as you are the force that will find the way to dreaming and succeeding.
Find ways to be inspired.
Visualize the outcome you want.
Make time to daydream. 
Know yourself—discover who you are.
Honor yourself and have fun. Self-criticism is the number one block to achieving success. Catch yourself in the act of winning and pat yourself on the back.

-Neerja Bhatia
Transformational Leadership Coach & Author
Founder, Rhythm of Success
www.rhythmofsuccess.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/neerjaarorabhatia