Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

New Year is the time when we usually look back on the events
of the past year, see what we learned from it and what we
achieved. Then we make resolutions for the upcoming year,
all the things that we want to change and accomplish in our
life.

Unfortunately, New Year's resolutions are often synonymous
with empty promises. Nobody takes them seriously anymore,
since we all know that most people break their resolutions
within the first week of January.

Here are the top 5 tips on how to actually KEEP your New
Year's resolutions:

* Make sure your goals are truly desirable for YOU.
Sometimes people want to do things because "it's the right
thing to do", or to make someone else happy. You will
succeed only if you do it for yourself. In order for you to
stay motivated, your goal must excite you on a deep inner
level.

* Make realistic resolutions. If on the back of your mind
you don't really believe that your goal is achievable, your
mind will resent putting in the effort towards achieving it.

* Prioritize your goals. If you try to do too many things
at once, you'll lose focus. Once the focus is gone, the
motivation goes with in. Decide on which goals are more
important to you, and focus on making them happen.

* Instead of making the END GOAL your resolution, it's
better to commit to the MEANS of getting to this goal. For
example, instead of making "lose 50 lbs" your resolution,
make your resolution to start exercising and eat healthier.
Those are the things that are in your immediate control, and
they will, in turn, help you reach the end goal.

* Make gradual changes. You will not wake up on January 1st
as a new person. Expect that the new habits will take a
while to learn, and don't let this fact discourage you. You
will have your ups and downs, but if you persist and stay
focused, you will definitely reach your goals.

Imagine how proud you will be if you keep your New Year's
resolutions! Let's make them all happen!