The Top Three Reasons New Year's Resolutions Fizzle

Thinking about New Year's resolutions - easy;

Making good resolutions - hard;

Keeping your resolutions - priceless.

You start off hopeful. You want to do better. You want to be better. You're tired of your life being one long disconnect between what you want to do and what you get around to doing.
But then reality kicks in. Like a Hamlet in the world of action, you find yourself torn between two impulses: "to do or not to do." Such ambivalence makes it tough to choose a clear commitment to action. So what happens?

Your positive energy becomes dammed, damning you to yet one more failed resolution. Your determination dissipates. It's too hard. It's too burdensome. Why kid yourself? Are you really going to shed those pounds? Get yourself in shape? Be more organized? Work more efficiently?

You surrender. It's not going to happen. You become cynical. It's stupid to make New Year's resolutions. They don't work. They're a waste of time - especially in the digital age. Beepers beckon, digital devices ding, social networks seduce. With all those accessible, appealing, addictive distractions, how does anybody stick to their resolutions?

You give up. You go back to spending countless hours immersed in activity that has nothing to do with your personal or career goals. No big deal. You only go around once, right? Why not just give in to your impulse of the moment?

Yet in those infrequent but quiet moments of solitude when you're honest with yourself, you wonder if you're teetering on the edge of the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. You know you can do better. Why give up on yourself?

This year, make resolutions that work by staying away from these three types of resolutions:

1. Resolutions that are way too ambitious. Sure, you want to bring about dramatic change. Unfortunately, change doesn't work that way.

Instead of resolving to lose 30 pounds, aim simply to lose 5 pounds in January. But what if your goal really is to lose 30 pounds? Lose the 5 in January. Rejoice in your success. When you do, you'll be motivated to continue whatever you've been doing to lose the weight. Why? Because nothing succeeds like success.

2. Resolutions that feel like hard work. You want to get in shape but hate going to the gym. You pay for a gym membership and promise yourself you'll go. Yeah, right. Gyms get rich on people like you. If you hate the gym, don't go.

Instead of insisting that you should do what you dislike, find a physical activity that you enjoy. Maybe it's a sport. Or a martial arts program. Or yoga. Or Pilates. Or dancing. Or cycling. Squash the "Yes, but" excuses. Just begin. And notice how much better you feel when you move your body.

3. Resolutions that are conceptual. "I want to get more organized," is a good concept. Who wouldn't want to be more organized? (Okay, maybe if you're a nitpicking perfectionist, you might wish you were less organized).

Instead of focusing on the concept, hone in on specific actions you can take that will result in your being more organized.

Here are examples of action-oriented tasks that will enable you to reach your goal:

• "I'll spend 15 minutes every day organizing papers on my desk."
• "I'll discard at least 10 items of clothing that I no longer wear every change of season."
• "I'll visit an office supply store to purchase organizing aids for my junk drawers."

Now, are you ready? Ready for what? Ready to make sustainable resolutions that will nurture your best self. Anybody against that?

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Copyright © 2011: Linda Sapadin, Ph.D
Linda Sapadin, Ph.D. is a psychologist and success coach who specializes in helping people overcome self-defeating patterns of behavior. If your life is one long disconnect between what you intend to do and what you actually get around to doing, check out my new book, How to Beat Procrastination in the Digital Age.

At my website SixStylesofProcrastination.com, you can take a personality quiz. View a chart that describes the thinking, speaking and acting modes of each procrastination style. Read inspirational quotes just for procrastinators. And if you're pleased with your accomplishments but recognize how much easier it would be with a tailwind at your back, explore my coaching services

Is your life ready for a makeover?

New Year's is a unique holiday. It's the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we tend to become introspective. Then we wonder: how did time get away from us? And why did all our hopes and dreams never materialize? Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making Resolutions. We all do it. We swear to ourselves, "This is THE year" for transforming our lives and fulfilling our goals. We are determined to keep all the promises to lose weight, stop smoking, make more money, be more patient...just fill in the blanks. Over the next few days millions of people from around the world will ask themselves questions as they figure out how to make 2010 the best year of their lives. The following is a creative exercise for you to think about how to surpass your potential in the New Year. In 2010, I'm finally going to __________________________! How would YOU fill in that blank? Go ahead, take a minute and give it your best shot... I'll wait right here... Now fast-forward to December 31st - New Years Eve, 2011. You're reflecting on the past year, jotting down a few notes in your journal. "I've got a lot to be thankful for this year... I reduced my credit card debt by $_______________________________. I feel great and now fit into my ________________________________. I have increased my retirement fund by $_________________________. I have achieved a number of goals to include ____________________. I have exceeded my own expectations by __________________________. I've got nearly enough money saved for a nice family vacation in ______________________. So, what did YOU write down? What are your aspirations for the coming year? Are you ready to make 2010 the best year EVER? Well, this doesn't have to be just a fun little exercise. It can be something much better... If the idea of erasing your debt, making more income, doing something good for those in your community or finally making lasting changes this year sounds good to you, then pay VERY close attention. I'm going to tell you about something wonderful that IS the exact thing you'll want to make your Resolutions stick! AND you'll even get BONUSES! Introducing the Got Resolutions Challenge! I'd like to show you how to dramatically increase the odds of making all your dreams -whatever they may be- come true in 2010. The Got Resolutions Challenge is a personal leadership program that provides a step-by-step system for setting and achieving your New Year's Resolutions. When I saw this exciting program, I was so impressed by its content, delivery, and overall impact of both its message and first-class execution. If focus, discipline, and accountability were among the things that prevented you from achieving your resolutions in the past, then "Got Resolutions?" is for YOU! In fact, here's what Best-Selling Author Brian Tracy has to say; "There is no one better person to start the New Year with than Gary Ryan Blair. His Got Resolutions Challenge will show you how to finally turn your resolutions into reality faster than you ever thought possible!" Did you set some Goals and Resolutions last year? Did you make promises to yourself, but soon discovered that none of your Resolutions were even met? Right now you have the opportunity to create history rather than repeat it. How about actively fulfilling your Resolutions this year? How about surprising yourself by actually following through? As you reflect on your future life, would you like to see yourself begin the year fast, focused, and positive? Are you going to keep ALL your promises to yourself? ALL you have to do is say YES, I'm ready to turn my Resolutions into reality. Are you ready for a thrilling, positive change in your life? It's easy to get started right away. http://bit.ly/8G8yqb Happy New Year! Bronwyn Ritchie P.S. Be sure to check out the video that explains the entire system. You'll be glad you did! Learn more here: http://bit.ly/8G8yqb

“How do we keep our inner fire alive? Two things, at minimum, are needed: an ability to appreciate the positives in our life – and a commitment to action. Every day, it’s important to ask and answer these questions: ‘What’s good in my life?’ and ‘What needs to be done?’”
-- Nathaniel Branden
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Got Resolutions?

If you want to achieve specific goals and enjoy tremendous success this year, the Got Resolutions program will show you how to finally turn your resolutions into reality faster than you ever thought possible.
Got Resolutions

"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving."

-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Got Resolutions?

If you want to achieve specific goals and enjoy tremendous success this year, the Got Resolutions program will show you how to finally turn your resolutions into reality faster than you ever thought possible. Got Resolutions