1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

There is no magic pill for making and keeping New Year resolutions. A wish written on the back of a cocktail napkin at the stroke of midnight on December 31 does not automatically come true. It takes hard work, sacrifice, clarity of thought, and a realistic written plan to succeed. If you truly want to make and keep a New Year resolution, fulfill a dream, or achieve a daily goal - tackle the challenge, one step at a time, one day at a time. Make every day New Year's Day. Make every day day count in the coming year.

Instead of growing frustrated and depressed over that same tired list of resolutions - the one that you ignored last January - dare to be different. Try something new. Think outside the box. Don't be afraid to color outside the lines. In the next 12 months, pursue just one dream that inspires passion, interest and desire. Make your dream achievable with careful forethought. Define your dream with a simple, one-sentence resolution that outlines the 'who, what, when, where, and why'. Then, make that dream and resolution a reality with a plan that consists of small steps that you can take take one at a time, one day at a time over the course of a year. But don't overwhelm yourself by thinking that you have to complete all of your daily goals 'today'. Start small. First, focus on today's goal(s) and the week ahead. As you gain momentum, the plotting, planning, and achieving gets easier and easier to manage.

This simple, common sense strategy has enabled me achieve a wide array of dreams - both large and small - over the years, including my commitment to exercise, health and fitness; and my determination to stop smoking, earn college degrees, buy a home, master photography, show gratitude, and write daily . . . to name a few of the priorities on my 'Lifetime Resolution List' (the resolutions that I make and keep, permanently). If you are ready to consider your next steps in crafting a resolution that fits you and your lifestyle, keep these common sense tips in mind:

Choose the right resolution, something you truly want to 'do' every day.
Choose a resolution that is important to you.
Choose a resolution about which you are passionate and interested.
Choose a resolution to which you can commit yourself 100%.
Choose a resolution that can become a lifetime habit, or an on-going source of achievement, reward and joy.
Analyze: Ask yourself "Why this resolution"?
Analyze: Ask yourself, "Is this resolution 'realistic"?
Analyze: Ask yourself, "Will I enjoy pursuing this

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Are New Years resolutions worth making??
We want to hear your view. Write now!