How to Make a Great New Year's Resolution

Making and keeping a resolution are two different things. If we create a resolution effectively, we have a greater chance of keeping the commitment. Here we go:

1. Choose an area of your life that you have a real desire to change.
2. Make small goals that are easily accomplished each day.
3. Make it a priority. In other words, be willing to do the work and put out the energy every day, for as many days as it takes. This is true especially when it comes to changing or letting go of bad habits.
4. Believe in your ability to succeed. If you do the work, and then focus on your vision of success, you will begin to live the experience of truly creating the lifestyle change you want to make.

A new year’s resolution can be a powerful tool for self-improvement if it is created with intensity of emotion, in a way that clearly defines the goal.

Every year around this time, people begin making resolutions for the new year. They resolve to loose weight, get fit, be a better friend, make a certain amount of money, or even to run a marathon. But how many people actually make a resolution and attain the goal they set for themselves?

Here is some practical advice for making a New Year’s Resolution that you can achieve:

Find Serenity In the New Year

Find a serene place to develop your resolution.The definition of serenity is different for everyone. However, you will be more likely to set and keep your resolution if it is well-defined. The best time and place to define your goal is somewhere free of distractions, at a time when you feel physically refreshed.

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Expectation

Sometimes people set goals that are almost impossible to realize. For example, setting a goal of losing 150 pounds in three months. If you have a large goal in mind, break it into chunks. The goal of losing 150 pounds could be broken down into ten-pound increments.

Visualize Yourself Carrying Out the Resolution

When making your New Year's Resolution, visualize what keeping that resolution will look like--not only after you have reached your goal, but along the way as well. See yourself climbing the mountain, or working through that mountain of paperwork. See yourself stepping on the scale and seeing that you have reduced your weight by 5 pounds. Then see yourself stepping on the scale and seeing that you have arrived at your goal weight.

Add Intensity of Emotion

When creating your New Year's Resolution, give yourself the freedom to feel the emotions that reaching your goal will create. Try to carry those emotions with you as you go about working toward your goal. When you combine your determination with intensely visual and vibrant emotion, your odds of success begin to skyrocket.

Write it Down

Write down what you want to accomplish and how you will do it. Be specific. Give yourself a time frame. Break large goals down into small chunks and list each one. List the benefits of accomplishing your goal.

Visit it Every Day

After taking the time to create a well-defined goal or resolution, don't just put it away and forget about it! To keep your goal in the fore-front of your mind, take the time to review it twice a day. Every morning and every night read it out loud. Make adjustments to your plan for reaching your goal. Consider keeping a journal of your progress.

Remember that creating change in yourself requires commitment and effort, but remember too, that it doesn't have to be drudgery. Use the experience as an exercise in self-exploration. Learn about who you were, who you are now, and who you want to be.

When you fix your mind on things that are calming, you leave more of your brain and energy to explore new pathways to reach other goals.

Find an image, a place, or both that will allow you to relax for a few moments. Do this often. Some people find early morning, just after waking, to be the most effective. When you focus on peace and tranquility first, you enter your day with your shields down. Which is the perfect time for allowing new ideas and inspiration to enter into your consciousness.