by Rebecca Douglass

Created on: January 11, 2011

Few things are brimming with optimism and promise like the coming of a new year.  Whether you hope to spend more time with family, lose weight, or learn a new language, here are five ways to ensure that your resolutions remain intact long after Auld Lang Syne fades and the bubbles have disappeared from your champagne.

1. Consider your priorities.

While your resolutions may have been percolating in your brain for a while, do a little deep thinking and make sure they are in line with your personal priorities. You may have a long New Year’s wish list, but you cannot accomplish everything in one year.  Your goals should be representative of how you want to spend your time and resources.  If you are a working parent with two toddlers at home, you may want to wait a few years before putting “learn French” on your list.  Think about your goals from last year.  Are you still trying to lose weight? Although previous failures can actually be a harbinger for future success (this is particularly true for smoking cessation), if a goal appears year after year consider why. Is it a priority for you right now? Is it reasonable given your current energy, time constraints, and financial resources? Your effort may be better spent on something else, and you will avoid the inevitable sense of failure. 

2. Write clear and attainable goals.

Look at you list again and be sure you will know if you are making progress.  It will be difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment if your goal was vague like: Become a better father.  Instead, think about what a good father looks like.  Does he contribute financially to the family? Does he know his children’s favourite food or activity?  Make it specific.  For example, consider something concrete like: Organize family activity night once a week.

The same applies to acquiring a new skill.  Many people resolve to learn a new language or instrument.  But again, how will you measure your progress? What does it mean to “learn Spanish”?  Will you be happy to complete a beginner’s language course, successfully survive a trip to a foreign country, or are you looking to speak like a native? Estimate the resources you can devote this year and modify you goal.  Learning to play ten new pop tunes on the piano is very different from aiming to become the next Yo-yo Ma.

3. Share your goals.

Talking about your goals is not just idol chatter. 

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