Will you be one of among thousands who will make a New Year’s Resolution this year? For those of you committed to success, here are some helpful tips so that THIS year you can make your resolution a reality.

1. Write your resolution: This involves actually sitting down (or you may stand if you prefer) and thoughtfully writing down what it is you want to change.  For those of you who aren’t fond of writing, suck it up and just do it. Simply putting your resolution on paper will exponentially increase your chances of success.  Remember, if your resolution isn’t in black and white, it’s not a resolution – it’s an idea. Ideas are abstract. So unless you’re looking for abstract success (which isn’t success at all) write it down.

2. Make your written resolution visible:  Put your goal somewhere you can see it – on your bathroom mirror, near your desk, above your bed, or laminate it and put it on the toilet seat. Please don’t bury it away in the back of your planner or in the dark abyss of your office filing cabinet. Whatever you do, just put it somewhere you will see it frequently. Remembering your resolution is sometimes half the battle.

3. Make a clear plan of action:  A plan consists of specific, measurable, and attainable steps that you will take on a daily basis to achieve your goal. For example,  if you want to lose weight, a clear plan may look something like this:

Resolution: Lose 10 pounds by July 1st of 2009

Start date:  January 1, 2009     End date: July 1, 2009

-Exercise 4 days a week (M, W, Th, S) at 6:30 am at the gym.
-Exercise consists of 20 minutes of cardio and 10 minutes of strength training.
-Don’t eat after 7 pm M-Th and after 9 pm on weekends.

Make sure that whatever your goal is - it is realistic, specific, and measurable. Grandiose and vague goals are doomed to failure.

4. Be accountable to someone: Believe it or not, the buddy system works. Even the most motivated individuals can occasionally lose focus on their desired goal. That being said, employ someone you trust to call you every once and a while to make sure you’re sticking to your plan. Even better, be sure it’s someone who won’t accept your lame excuses (and yes, they are ALL lame excuses). Your “slave driver” brother or co-worker may be good in such a case.

5. Record your successes daily:  We’re exceptionally good at forgetting our previous success when we encounter an obstacle on our path to change.  To counter this problem, tag a notebook as your success journal and chart your progress. When you hit one of those obstacles, take a read of your success journal. It will help perk you up and keep you moving forward.

6. Don’t be a masochist: Create an environment that will help you stick to your goal. Remove or at least distance yourself from your particular vice or temptation.  If you’re an obsessive on-line shopper, limit your internet surfing. If you have an insatiable appetite for French fries, avoid the burger joints and go to sandwich shops instead. If you’re determined to stop smoking, don't go to social activities where there will be lots of lit cigs. Do yourself a favor and consciously create surroundings that will help not hinder your ability to achieve your goal.

7. Lapses are likely, but they don't have to be fatal: No matter how committed you are, chances are your humanity will manifest itself at some point causing you to occasionally slip. That’s okay! So long as you pick yourself up again and push on, you WILL succeed.

8. Reward yourself: However you choose to do this whether it be a fun night out or pampering yourself a little – it’s important that you acknowledge your progress along the way by celebrating your successes.

If you will apply these tips, my promise to you is that you will watch your resolution become a happy reality. May your success be mighty fine in 2009.

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