All change

The start of a new year is traditionally a time when we resolve to  change our ways somehow. How often do you resolve to get fitter, stop smoking, lose weight, find more time, have more fun etc etc and by the end of January you are back to your old habits again?

Lots of us are in the habit of making big lists of resolutions which get put to the back of our minds or overlooked as we become overwhelmed with the amount of challenges we’ve set ourselves.

Does this sound a bit like you? How do you think you can make the changes you want?

Be selective: if you have 10 resolutions that you’d quite like to keep you are likely to become overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do to make all those changes and not keep any of them. It’s far better to concentrate on one or at most two areas that you are completely passionate about and focus your attention on them.  If you find that you have achieved your resolution, you can always select more to fill the gap.

Write down your resolution as a goal: Studies show that goals written down are more likely to be completed.  You can display it somewhere noticeable and seeing it regularly will remind you of your aims.

Be specific, state it positively and give yourself a deadline. Rather than saying I need to lose weight, say I will weigh X kilos by the end of May. This give you a much better idea of how you are doing with your resolution. If you just say lose weight how will you know when you’ve succeeded? A deadline will really help you focus your efforts.

Think of how things will change for you once you have completed your resolution. If for example you are aiming to lose weight, how will you feel when you’ve done it? What will the people around you be noticing and saying?

Break down your resolution into manageable steps. They all add up.  For example if losing weight is what you wish to do, think about the different things that need to be tackled, e.g.healthy eating, eating less, exercising more. 

If you start losing heart always think of just one thing which would take you closer to your desired result and do it.

Remember that keeping your resolutions involves changing your behaviour in some way. If you always do the things you did before then nothing will change.

For extra help making those difficult changes consider working with a coach.

www.stepoffyourstilettos.co.uk