Here we go again. We all have transformed into superhuman, motivated beings, ready to change our entire lives in 2013. I am all for it and am just like you -- pom-pom in one hand, goal setting sheet in the other. If only we won. You know, Resolution-er - 100, and the opponent, Failure - Zero.According to statistics, our resolutions will have a fleeting life span of roughly four to six weeks. Your above average housefly lives about that. Sigh. Here is the truth. Nine out of ten people fail miserably at keeping their resolutions for a prolonged period of time. Our goal this year should be to become the exceptions... but how?It takes more than willpower - According to a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, How to Keep a Resolution, willpower springs from the prefrontal cortex in the brain, which easily becomes overly exhausted & overloaded. After this happens, and our cognition becomes stressed by other life events, we will give into whatever feels good at the moment. Chocolate cake, for instance.You need a plan - Small goals, deadlines, reward systems. To start, make yourself a weekly and monthly plan. It takes some time to do this. Make time. It works if you work it. With no plan of attack, you will be defeated.Have a plan B for Failure - Most likely, you won't nail this thing on the head. Say you want to lose 10 lbs in 3 months, but you lose eight. Now go to plan B. Maybe one reason you failed was because you could not seem to give up certain foods. So, incorporate an extra 60 minutes of cardio a week and allow yourself those 3 cookies that you can't live without. Stick to the improvised plan for two or three weeks and re-evaluate where you are. Remember, this is a constant race, not a 50 yard dash.Don't let comparison steal your joy - Fist you wanted to organize the closets in your house and keep them that way all winter. Then after a coffee date with Susie homemaker, you feel instant guilt when she pulls a one-upper on your success. After Susie shares how she has re-modeled her entire kitchen, living room and powder room while still miraculously finding time to alphabetically organize her pie recipes, you feel like a loser. Well, I'm here to tell you that you aren't a loser. You're welcome for that affirmation. Be proud of your closets, they look awesome.Make it fun - Studies show that as you correlate positive emotion to your desired change, you will be more likely to stick with what you are after. If you make a resolution to quit smoking this year and workout three times a week for 30 minutes, and happen to love camouflage, you better find the best darn dry-fit camo workout gear you can find and rock it. It will help you stay motivated. Imagine how you will feel as you conquer this goal! You will feel stronger, have more energy, feel healthy, love life. All of the benefits while enjoying the journey! Constantly focus on what you will get out of this.Torture isn't so much fun after awhile, but success is! Best of luck, get going!Tags: GoalsResolutions
