New Year’s Resolutions: 6 Steps to Guarantee Your Success

Too many times, I’ve set New Year’s resolutions only to find that, by February, I haven’t achieved any of them. I’m disappointed, and wonder if I’ll ever achieve my goals. Upon reflection, I found that I have set unrealistic goals. It’s probably due to the fact that I’m an overachiever, and feel compelled to accomplish everything I set my mind to. Over the years, I’ve learned the secret to achieving goals – lower your expectations and you’ll achieve more.

For example, if you wanted to fit into your skinny jeans, you might come up with a new exercise and diet plan. Part of that plan might include a goal to exercise five times a week. If you don’t achieve that magic number, then you might feel that you failed, regardless of how many times you did exercise. Instead, lower the goal from exercising five times a week to a more realistic goal, like twice a week. Expect to meet that simpler goal. You’ll feel great when you do. If you exceed it, that’s great, too! It feels wonderful to meet your goals, and that feeling of success will keep you motivated to continue to achieve your goals. Set yourself up for success with these six simple steps:

1. What do you want?

Do you want to drop those pesky extra pounds? Asking why should be your initial step. Is it to increase your self-confidence? Is it for health reasons? State the big picture. Explain the positive gains of achieving your goal (i.e. increasing your chances of being noticed by your hot co-worker) Once that is set, look at what you want to do to achieve it. It might be a series of smaller goals to achieve the overarching goal.

2. How will you achieve your goal?

Plan how to reach the goal. Get specific, be realistic, and keep the plans simple. I find writing down my goal and the steps to achieve them helps me to look at things more logically. I can see where I’ve over-reached or may be setting the bar too low.

3. Is your plan realistic?

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you aren’t going to fit into those skinny jeans tomorrow. Take some time, and look seriously at your plan. If it’s not realistic, adjust it. You want – and have the right – to be successful. So don’t create a goal where you’re setting yourself up to fail.

4. Define success

Many times we create a goal without defining what the outcome will look like. How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? What will you look like? How will you feel? What will you be able to do? Write it down, and revisit this often. Overtime your definition of success might change. That’s OK. Give yourself permission to do what you need to do.

5. Allow flexibility

You will face challenges that might hinder or distract you from your goals. That’s life. Plan on life happening on a regular basis. Consider adding plans on what to do when you have setbacks. Candy used to be a big temptation of mine. I always felt guilty and that I failed when I ate just one piece of chocolate. Knowing this, I plan for success. Now when I walk down a candy aisle, I t wave and say, “Hello,” to my old friends. I still eat candy, just not as often as I used to, and when I do, I enjoy it all the more.

6. Get Guidance

Talk to someone about your plans and get their guidance. Friends, family, and psychics advisers can provide insight to where you may be blinded. If your goals involve your job or career path, talk with Psychic Michael, ext. 9604, or Psychic Tansy ext. 5289. For love and relationships, I would talk to Psychic Julia ext. 9131, Psychic Eve ext. 5313, or Psychic Winter ext. 9002.To get more information about your life path or destiny talk with Psychic Nadya ext. 5347.

Whatever goals you set, make sure you’ll enjoy the work involved to achieve them and always keep your end goal in mind. If you enjoy what you’re doing, chances are you’ll continue doing it. Have fun, be a success, and have a great 2011.