Achieve Success in 2013: Your Ultimate Guide to Making It Happen
We’ve all been there – jotting down a long list of New Year’s resolutions in a shiny new notebook on January 1st, only to tuck it away and forget about it by February. This year, things can be different if you start with a fresh approach.
### Popular Resolutions and Why We Choose Them
**Lose Weight:** After indulging in chocolates, pies, nuts, and snacks over the festive season, it’s no wonder we gain a few pounds and feel bloated. That’s why so many of us aim to start a strict diet in January.
**Give Up Smoking:** January 1st feels like a significant new beginning, making it the perfect time to quit smoking. It’s one of the best decisions for your health and the well-being of those around you.
**Get Fit:** Lounging around during Christmas, binge-watching TV, often leaves us feeling sluggish and out of shape. So, many rush out to buy new sports gear in the post-Christmas sales and set a resolution to join a gym.
**Give Up Alcohol:** The holiday season usually sees us drinking more than usual. By January 1st, we often wake up with a pounding hangover, making us vow to give up alcohol.
**Save More Money:** After a year of financial challenges, we tend to splurge on family and friends during Christmas. In January, many resolve to offset the holiday spending by saving more money throughout the year.
**Be Healthier:** After consuming mountains of sweets and snacks, it’s common to seek a healthier lifestyle in the new year, including better eating habits and fitness routines.
**Be Happier/Fulfilled/Positive:** If the previous year was filled with frustration and upset, it’s natural to want a more positive and fulfilling year ahead.
### Why Resolutions Fail
**Lack of Planning:** You can’t wake up on January 1st, decide to start a diet, and find your fridge stocked with unhealthy food. Plan ahead. If you want to quit alcohol, make sure there’s none left at home. If you aim to save money, avoid plans that involve spending.
**Vague Goals:** Resolutions like “get fit” or “be healthier” are too broad. Define clear, specific goals. Instead of turning vegetarian overnight, try incorporating five pieces of fruit into your daily diet. Plan out which fruits, where to buy them, and when to eat them. If your goal is to tone up or run a marathon, outline a training schedule or sign up for exercise classes.
**Fear of Failure:** Missing one workout or indulging in a treat shouldn’t be the end of your resolution. Many people give up because they become discouraged by small slip-ups. Remember, no one is perfect. Learn from the lapse and keep moving forward. Resolutions are meant to be long-term commitments.
### Conclusion
If you’re serious about making changes in your life, setting a New Year’s resolution is a great way to start. However, successful resolutions require good planning. So before committing to your resolution, make sure you have a solid plan to stick to it!
