The New Year is a time for new beginnings and traditionally everyone makes resolutions for the year ahead. Statistics show that by the end of 30 days the resolutions we make begin to dissolve. There are many reasons why people abandon their resolutions:

1.Discouragement when things do not happen immediately
2.Lack of discipline or commitment
3.The need for immediate gratification
4.Not ready for a challenge
5.Goals are not realistic
6.Lack of support or direction
7.Unconscious resistance to change
8.Lack of planning
 

To increase your chances of keeping your resolutions begin by examining your motivations for change. Are you doing this for yourself or for someone else? If you are realistic and accept the discipline required for change, your motivation will be sustained. If you set realistic goals, habits and behaviors that you changed gradually have a greater chance of success. If you focus on the behavior change rather than the goal, your behavior will help you feel in control of your life.

Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and traceable. If the goal you set doesn't fit all of those criteria, keeping working on it until it does. Look for progress, not perfection, and allow for mistakes and set backs.

Look at your accomplishment and keep the focus on your vision. Think about the end results, visualize it daily, and keep a journal or a treasure map (a place where you can put pictures of what you want). The power of focus helps bring about results.

Get support. There's nothing like a workout buddy to motivate you. Most people have trouble reaching their goals without some help either from friends, family or support groups. If you've been going it alone consider reaching out to a spouse, sibling, co-worker or friend for help and support. Or you may choose to hire a coach or a personal trainer.

The key to success is often found in our failures if we can allow them to teach us. Wayne Dyer says "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change".

Lorraine Edey, LCSW, PhD is a Life Coach at Coaching Inspirations. For more information call 321-288-0692 or visit www.coachinginspiraitons.com.