New Year Resolutions, into 2014 and beyond

New years resolutions, many of us make them, but do we keep to them? Are they realistic?

Recently i case across this cartoon on mashable, from DogHousediaries, and it reminded\ me that often we set New Year Resolutions based on “The Plan”, and not on the considered reality

According to Forbes 40% of us will make a New Years Resolution, and of that only 8% of people that make a resolution, keep it.

Looking forwards, according to research by University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology, published dec 2013:

Rank Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2014

1. Lose Weight
2. Getting Organized
3. Spend Less, Save More
4. Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5. Staying Fit and Healthy
6. Learn Something Exciting
7. Quit Smoking
8. Help Others in Their Dreams
9. Fall in Love
10. Spend More Time with Family

Well these do not look like SMART Objectives, so is it any wonder that only 8% succeed?

Set Realistic Goals

Ensure your goal is sensible and achievable, set it too high and for many of us, we will just give up.

Define The Goals

What specifically you are going to do to make progress towards the stated goal?

Set a Schedule

Small “baby steps” or milestones, something to measure yourself against

Expect setbacks, so factor them in

Things will go wrong, like any “project” so build in steps to manage in these difficult times

Get Help or Support

Some people just cannot achieve goals on their own, “phone a friend” or have a buddy

And remember…

Not every New Year’s resolution was meant to be kept. Some are easier to keep than others. Sometimes it helps for a person to make a few fun resolutions you know are unrealistic and have no intentions of keeping :)

Good luck, success and happiness