New Year resolutions are made because we are ready for a change. We all have areas in our lives we want to improve, knowing the changes would make us healthier and happier. First, you must decide what you want in your life; get clarity (80% of being successful is being clear about what you want) on your ideal life. See it and create a mental picture of who you would be. There are several questions you need to ask yourself before making a resolution:

1. What do you want to change in your life and why? (The fewer things you want to change, the better. Start with one and build from there).
2. Are you making a resolution for yourself or are you pleasing someone else? Resolutions that are successful are done because you want them to work for you.
3. If you are making a resolution for yourself because it affects others, can you count on them to support you? For example, let’s say you want to lose weight so you can be more active in your kids’ lives. This is a great resolution, but make sure your kids are in on it so they can help by being supportive.
4. Do you have a network of support people who will help you stay on track with your resolution? If your diet is the area you are going to work on, do you have friends who can share healthy recipes? Are your friends willing to engage in different activities with you rather than going out to dinner? Will your friends be able to help motivate you to get back on track when you have fallen off?

Now, after this part of your work is done and you are clear, it is time to begin the change. The tips provided below will help you be the person you envision becoming:

• The first thing you must do is decide why the behavior you are trying to change needs to be changed. You must make a commitment that it will end today. Let’s say you are a smoker. Today you must decide you can no longer live your life as a smoker.
• Next, choose a behavior you can engage in instead of the unhealthy one. For example, do you yell at your kids? A new behavior to replace this with would be whispering at them when you are angry. You may also see that they listen better to whispering instead of yelling or screaming.
• Many of the behaviors we are trying to eliminate are the ones we do during social gatherings. Change the atmosphere and you will help change the cues that make you want to do the destructive behaviors. Drinking, smoking, and over-eating are some of these destructive behaviors. Maybe meet for a walk with friends, or go to a movie, or meet at a coffee house. You can still socialize, but you won’t be as likely to sabotage your healthier behavior.
• Each day, write down the behavior you chose for the day and how you were successful or unsuccessful. It is important that your new behavior continues for at least 30 days so you can become more and more familiar with it. New behaviors are difficult until they feel “natural.”
• Make sure you reward yourself each time you choose a successful, healthy alternative behavior. In a small way, you are learning to “re-parent” yourself by setting a goal and rewarding yourself after you achieve success.

Being successful with making New Year’s resolutions permanent is 99.99999 percent dependent on how bad you want it. Want it, begin it, continue it, and you are it!!!