This is a guest-post from M.Farouk Radwan of http://www.2knowmyself.com
It’s a brand new year and we all have goals and resolutions that we which to make true but do you know that most people forget about their new year resolutions mere days or even weeks after the beginning of the new year?
In order to to help you be successful, here are 5 surefire methods to help you stick to your New Year Resolutions:
1. Are you trying to change a symptom instead of a root cause?
Some people incorrectly decide to change a bad habit without knowing that this bad habit is just a symptom. For example many people smoke when they feel stressed and so learning how to control stress can be the solution to their smoking problem and not deciding to quit smoking without understanding the problem. Ensure that the change you want to see in yourself isn’t a bandaid for a deeper, underlying issue. Take time to self-reflect on what is really driving you to change.
2. You must write your resolutions down.
Writing allows the subconscious mind to absorb the information and turns a mere wish into a strong desire. Research has shown that people who write down their goals become most likely to stick to them than those who don’t. Have you written down your goals for the year, yet? If not, why not? Now’s the time to write down what you want to change for this brand new year.
3. Don’t set goals because everything is doing it.
It’s very common that people write resolutions just because everyone else is writing them too at the beginning of the New Year. It’s the thing to do. In order to make sure that you stick to your resolutions you must write ones that help you fulfill your most important desires else you won’t be motivated to pursue them. Do you know what your most important goals are? If not, spend time figuring out what you really want to accomplish this year.
4. Program your subconscious mind.
Studies have shown that continuous repetition programs the subconscious mind and makes the beliefs stronger. If you want to believe more in your goals then you must read them each morning or even better hang them above your desk so that you can read them daily.
5. Increase your desire to reach your goals.
Each few days you must visualize how your life will be like after reaching your goals. That would increase your desire to reach those goals and so make you much more committed to your New Year Resolutions.
How are you going to stick to your New Years Resolutions? Share with us by leaving a comment below. Thanks!
Written by M.Farouk Radwan. the Founder of http://www.2knowmyself.com
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Hi Farouk
Some great tips here, I particularly like your point want (3) about don’t just set goals because everyone else is doing it. You should only pursue the goals that you want to do.
To your success (and Karen’s!!) in 2011.
Matthew
Matthew Needham´s last blog ..6 Steps to achieving your goals in 2011
thank you for your comment Matthew
Thanks so much, Matthew
As you say, what’s the point of achieving a goal if it wasn’t what you wanted in the first place? Such a wasted effort. A much better way would be to decide what’s most important to you and then do what it takes to achieve it.
Just a quibble. I am making plans this year. Resolutions are merely wishes. Plans have substance, goals and deadlines. I need all the help I can get.
Ralph@retirement lifestyle´s last blog ..Healthy Aging- Invest in a personal trainer
Good Luck with your plans Ralph, wish you all the best:)
You make an excellent point, Ralph. Making plans and then doing what’s necessary to achieve them is more tangible than wishes (and more likely to succeed).
All the best to you and your family on pursuing your life plans in 2011,
Karen
I think the key for me is not to have too many goals (resolutions). I need to focus on what’s important now. Every year I can move my focus to other areas while maintaining I made in previous years.
Gordie´s last blog ..Live a Healthier Life in 21 Days Challenge 21DHL- Days 1-3
That’s a good point too, Thanks for the Addition Gordie
Hey Gordie,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It can be really important to not lose steam in making the necessary changes in life. Just because the new year starts doesn’t mean that what we accomplished prior to Jan 1st doesn’t continue. Good point!
All the best in 2011,
Karen
Great points here… I find that I often set Resolutions that act as bandages in my life w/o addressing the root problems.. for instance, I set “achievement-like” resolutions such as mastering a skill to cover up issues with feelings of inferiority. I could’ve instead worked on accepting myself more, and being more comfortable in my own skin.
Henway´s last blog ..Medifast Stories – Dec 2010
thanks a lot for the explanation Henawy, you made point number one clearler now
)
thank you
I think it’s really important to take the time to really find out why you want to achieve a certain goal/achievement in life. There’s no use treating the symptom when there is work to be done to figure out root causes. You’ve taken the important step, Henway, in realizing there is a difference.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Karen
Great article Farouk! Building up our desire by programming the subconscious mind is key. Thanks so much for the excellent pointers. Happy New Year to you,
Angela Artemis´s last blog ..Catch & Release- The Creativity- Intuition & Meditation Expedition
you are most welcomed Angela , thank you
you are most welcomed Angela , thank you
)
hello karen/farouk,
happy new year to you
thanks for sharing this farouk
with reference to the third point: it’s important we don’t get carried away, feel inferior or get consumed by the dreams/goals of others because we are unique in our own ways and are gifted in different areas.
it also reminds us of not joining the band wagon just for the fun of it or because it’s cool to do so and would probably give us an air of importance.
take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of the day
That’s a very good addition Ayo, thank you my friend
Hi Ayo,
Happy New Year to you as well. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2011 that’s full of happiness
Joining the band wagon is a waste of our valuable time and energy. It’s important to resolve to go after what you really want in life – not what someone else thinks or says that you should do. Thanks for the reminder
Karen
Hi Farouk, you make great points here, especially #3. For years I made resolutions because everyone else was doing it, and then I promptly forgot about them because I wasn’t invested in them. I’ve realized just recently that January is not a good time for me to start new things. Over the next couple of months, I will be winding down old projects and then I will be able to figure out what exactly I want to do.
For this year, I didn’t pick resolutions but I did choose a word to summarize the next year: healing. I got this idea from Sandra at Always Well Within.
Jennifer Barry´s last blog ..Stranger in His Own Land- Part 10
That’s a good strategy Jennifer, thank you dear for the addition
It sounds like Sandra great idea has spread. I’ve picked ‘Resolve’ as my word for this year, Jennifer
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I hope your year of healing happens in less time so that you can enjoy the rest of the year
Karen
Farouk,
You make some really good points. Particularly about writing it down. A plan that is just in your head is not a resolution it’s just a dream. Dreams only happen if you get very lucky. Plans happen all the time because you make them happen. To be successful in resolution you need to make a plan, have firmly achievable steps goals and milestones. By doing this you can make a resolution a success rather than, as you say, having it be something that is forgotten about days after it is made.
Additionally I think the six step should be forgiveness. For instance if someone’s goal is to stop smoking and on day 12 they fail and have a cigarette is important that they forgive themselves and get back on the wagon. Often, once people make a mistake they get down on themselves and do not take the steps needed to start over.
Thanks for great guest post and hope you’re doing well with your New Year’s resolutions.
Steve@Lifestyle Design´s last blog ..Secrets of Effective Email Time Management
You bring up some excellent points, Steve.
As someone who started off with the best of intentions this year, I’ve already failed in continuing my resolutions. Instead of beating myself up about my failings, I’ve tried to forgive myself and have resolved to not give up but to try again (because I’m worth it
)
Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom,
Karen
Hi Karen and Farouk, very insightful Farouk. Your guest post really makes you think. I like what you said about symptom instead of a root cause. Really makes you go hummmm…
Instead of every few days I like to dwell on what my life would be like if I obtained my goals everyday. It’s very good fuel to keep you going. I’d also like to point out that while you are reaching your goals enjoy the journey to them.
Terry Conti
You’re right, Terry, keeping the journey and not just the attainment of your goals is very important to keep in mind. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, so we should enjoy today
Thanks for sharing your thoughts,
Karen
Actually, I didn’t prepare any new year resolutions for this year because I don’t want to force myself to do things that I can’t do. But your post makes me realize that I need to set some goals for this year. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome and I think we should absolutely do what works for us.