by Heather Robson

Created on: January 07, 2010

Turning over a new leaf each year is an important part of American culture. It reminds us to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, who we are, and where we want to go. You are capable of doing big things in your life—making big changes—but if you’re like so many people, the demands of day-to-day schedules keep you from making much progress toward your biggest goals.

Most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned before the month of January is out. If you want this year to be different, then you need to set your resolutions and pursue them a little differently.

Dump the Cliché for the Meaningful. “I want to lose weight and be a nicer person.” How many times have you set a resolution that sounds a little like this one? It’s a nice thought, but it lacks specificity and meaning. Rather than setting some vague goal that you’d like to accomplish, get more specific. Start by asking yourself why you want to do what you want to do. Do you want to lose weight? Why? Your answer might be that you’re worried about your health and losing weight will improve it. Or it might be that you don’t have the energy in the evenings to have fun with your family and you believe shedding a few pounds will help. Do you want to be a nicer person? Why? Maybe you feel disappointed in yourself because you aren’t as patient with your kids as you’d like to be. Or maybe you love volunteering, but haven’t made time to do that and that makes you feel like you’re being less than you could be.

Notice how when you answer the why behind the goal you’re setting, it gives it a more personal meaning. This is important because it is easier for you to commit to a goal that holds specific meaning for you than it is to commit to one that is vague and empty.

Get Specific. You’ve already started to get specific by asking yourself why you want to do what you want to do, but it’s time to get even more specific. Ask yourself exactly what you want to accomplish. Losing weight and losing 15 pounds are two different things. One is a nice thought. The other is a specific goal. Being nicer and volunteering more are also different. One, again, is a nice thought. The other has clear and specific actions that you can take to achieve it.

If you want to achieve your New Year’s resolutions this year, then you need to know exactly what it is you are trying to achieve. Be as specific as possible. Setting a resolution

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