This will be a really simple post, but I am about to share my sneakiest tip for guaranteeing successful New Year (or any time of year) resolutions. After all, January 1st is less than two weeks away, and who wants to be unprepared for the New Year?
(image courtesy of Susan O’Halloran)
Are you ready for my sneaky tip?
My trick, that has made my resolutions STICK and generate success, is . . .
Start NOW.
Don’t wait until January 1st to start. The moment that you are sure what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year, take some action – ANY action – in the direction of your goal.
Nielsen.com listed the Top Ten New Years Resolutions based on their surveys. If you want to know a quick action you can take to move closer to your goal, look at the suggestions I’ve added after each of the top 6 resolutions mentioned by Nielsen:
- Stay fit and healthy
– Get on YouTube and do a quick exercise routine. Try Fitness Blender and do some activity for at least 5 minutes. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to do your 5 minutes of exercise daily. Then set a calendar reminder to increase your 5 minute routine, to 6 minutes, after 2-3 weeks. Every 2-3 weeks, add one or two minutes to your routine. Adjust the minutes based on your fitness level and motivation.
- Lose weight
– See the recommendation above. In addition, look up some healthy meals, write out your shopping list, and, if it isn’t too late, go out and buy those groceries RIGHT NOW.
- Enjoy life to the fullest
– Think of one thing you’ve been wanting to do but just haven’t accomplished yet (pull out your bucket list). Determine the easiest thing on the list, and immediately reserve the lessons, appointment, etc., that will make it happen.
- Spend less, save more
– Go to bankrate.com and look up the savings accounts with the highest annual yield. Open an account and set up an automatic draft so your money can save on autopilot. Don’t memorize your password for the bank account: the harder it is to recall, the less likely you’ll be to check on it and withdraw funds.
- Spend more time with family and friends
– Pick up your phone immediately and call someone that you’ve been meaning to talk to. Set a phone reminder to call at least 3 friends or family members every week. Send out a mass invite to several friends and family members for a get-together event in 4 -6 weeks. Don’t flake out on the get-together.
- Get organized
– Choose an activity to do right now: clean out one dresser drawer, tidy up one folder, empty all of your trash cans, fold up all of the clothes at the end of your bed. Or go buy plastic containers to help you organize your stuff.
If you’re serious about accomplishing your goals, don’t wait for January 1st to start on them. Start today, and give yourself an advantage when New Years Day rolls around!
Bronze Butterfly 
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