How to Prepare NOW Yourself to Achieve Your New Year's Resolutions

​We all know that feeling. It's the end of December, and we're reflecting on the year that was. We start thinking about all the things we didn't accomplish and how we want to change that in the coming year. And so, we make a resolutions list for the upcoming year. But then January comes, and we find ourselves struggling to keep our resolutions. Why does this happen?

The problem is that we often set resolutions that are too vague or too ambitious, and then we don't have a plan for how to achieve them. So, this year, let's change that! Here are some tips to help you prepare yourself to achieve your new year's resolutions.
Feel The Vibe 
The number one thing that you can do to prepare yourself to slay your New Year's resolutions this year is to develop a wild, heart-pounding, burning YES! to pull you forward towards what you want.  Let's face it - change is hard.  It requires the FOUR D's:  The Dream, The Discipline, The Discomfort, and The Dedication.  Research shows that the people that are successful in achieving their goals are the people who are deeply connected to their dream.  So, the first thing to do is connect with the story of your dream and feel the vibe of what you are creating for your future.   

Pick One Thing
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to New Year's resolutions is trying to take on too much at once. So, this year, pick one resolution and stick with it. Trying to lose weight, quit smoking, and start exercising all at the same time is likely to be overwhelming and will increase your chances of relapse. But if you focus on just one thing, you're more likely to be successful.  Your dream life can be created by developing the ability to direct your full focus on one small area at a time.  

Get Smaller
Your New Year's resolution should be something that you can realistically achieve. If your goal is too lofty, you're setting yourself up for failure. For example, if your goal is to lose 100 pounds, that may be unrealistic and could lead to unhealthy methods of weight loss such as crash dieting or over-exercising. Instead, try setting a smaller goal such as losing 10 pounds or slowly increasing your activity level throughout the year.  It is better to say that you are going to walk around the block 1x per day and actually do it - then to say that you're going to work out for 2 hours 3x per week and never get around to it.  Additionally, remember that self-trust is like a bank account, and you want to make sure that you're making more deposits than withdrawals.  

Be Aware
Once you've set your goal and figured out how you're going to achieve it, it's time to create a plan. This plan should include specific milestones and deadlines so that you can track your progress and adjust the course if necessary. Without a plan, it's easy to get off track or become discouraged when you don't see results immediately. But with a plan in place, you can stay motivated and on track even when the going gets tough.

Celebrate
One of the key pieces to goal achievement that people often gloss over is celebration, but celebrating your success is key to keeping motivation.  You see, when you celebrate yourself, your brain is flooding with the good hormones - the ones that make you feel invigorated, confident and motivated.  So, when you set small goals, and celebrate yourself for achieving them, you hack your brain's natural chemicals and set yourself up for success. 
Making New Year's resolutions is a great way to reflect on the past year and set yourself up for success in the coming one.  All too often, our well-intentioned resolutions fall by the wayside because we don't take the time to set ourselves up for success. This year, avoid these common pitfalls by feeling the vibe, picking one resolution, setting achievable goals, creating a plan for how you're going to achieve them, and celebrating yourself along the way. With these steps in place, you'll be well on your way to making this your best year yet!

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