New Year's Resolutions: How to Make Them Stick

Here at Jacob's Ladder we use goals to help keep us motivated and on track for the year. We do this as a company but also as individuals. We all believe that goal setting is a good way to maintain discipline and progression professionally as well as personally. As we enter the new year we know lots of people are setting their own goals to tackle this year and we wanted to share some tips to make sure those New Year's Resolutions stick. 

Recognize that a New Year goal isn’t about magical, sweeping change. It’s simply a time to reflect on your behavior and recognize that lifestyle changes are important. However, change is made one small step at a time.  More people succeed at New Year’s resolutions than you might think. 

10 TIPS ON MAKING A RESOLUTION OR GOAL

1. First, set aside time on your calendar to pause and reflect. Decide on a morning to make a cup of coffee or tea and sit down with a pad of paper.
2. Keep it simple. Settle on one or two goals. Not a big list.
3. Pick a goal that you are truly committed to. Not just something you think you should do, or based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change, but what you want to do.
4. Define a goal that is “specific.” “I want to lose weight” is too vague. “Five pounds in the next two months" is going to be more effective. 
5. Define a goal that is “measurable.” Keep track of your progress. One example is “I want to stop biting my nails in 30 days.” Take a photo every day of your nails and log your progress. If you goal is to take your pills each day, get a 7-day pill box so you can see that you are keeping to your intention.
6. Define a goal that is achievable. Resolving to retire in five years may not be realistic, but saving an extra $100 a month may be (or make that the number that fits your budget).
7. Define a goal that is relevant. Don’t make goals out of remorse. Those don’t last long. Love yourself and make a realistic goal that is good for you. 
8. Define a goal that is time-bound. Plan for a month or so, not a lifetime.
9. Start small.  Then add to your goal. For the exercise example, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven.
10. Create a short list of diversions that could come up. For example, If losing weight is a goal, plan on making a cup of herbal tea (or a pitcher!) every afternoon to get you through a midday slump. Many people get tired and have less control late in the day; if you get late-night munchies, be sure to buy something healthy to chew on, such as a handful of almonds.

KEEPING RESOLUTIONS
If you can’t keep to your goal, reflect and reassess!  Remember that unhealthy behaviors take years to develop. Was your goal too huge? Narrow the scope. Just make one small change at a time.

It’s perfectly normal for an approach to fail the first time. Making some minor missteps is OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet. Try a different approach. Perhaps you substitute dessert with a healthier options like fruit or yogurt so you see a diet as less of a punishment and more as a healthier way of life. This means stocking up the fridge!
Perhaps you need a tool to help yourself reach your goals! For example, I resolve to be on time to meetings this week. To help me achieve this goal, I plan to take a moment  to set an alarm on my phone with a five-minute reminder before any meetings.

THE BOTTOM LINE
The bottom line of making New Year's Resolutions stick is to take it one day a time, and don't give up! We hope that everyone meets and exceeds their goals for this year.

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