Successful New Year’s Resolutions

As the year comes to a close, most of us spend some time reflecting on the past year. We may reflect on our achievements and what we wanted to accomplish but didn’t find the time or discipline to create. Many of us set up intentions or resolutions for the approaching New Year and a lot of us fail to meet these for various reasons. The following tips have proven helpful for myself and many of my clients that I have coached through cleanse, diet and nutritional health programs.

Detailed & Clear Intentions

Often I see people set up goals and intentions in a very general manner. For example, their goal is that they want to save additional money next year. This type of unspecific goal is usually not effective because it is not clearly defined or realistic. In this case, it is much more effective to define a very clear and detailed budget for the next year. For example, one might determine that cutting out the afternoon Starbuck trips for coffee and putting that extra money in their savings could give them the additional savings they desire.

Take Small, Reachable Steps

I have discovered the best way to succeed is to keep resolutions and goals realistic and within reach. It should be a “slightly uncomfortable stretch” like in yoga, where you want to lengthen and challenge the muscle in the stretch, but you don’t want to injure the muscle by pushing too hard. Whether your goal is losing weight, spending more time with your family, eating healthier or having more time for yourself, “the journey of a thousand miles still does begin with one step.” For example, if weight loss is the goal, it is better to begin by cutting out a few of the foods that tend to put on the weight rather than go onto an extreme weight loss, deprivation diet that is too difficult to stick with. Once you have succeeded in cutting out the first set of foods, then your next step gets easier because you have already succeeded in your first step. You know you can continue because you already reached your first step goal.

Reward Yourself in Positive Ways When New Goals are Reached

Finding positive reinforcements and substitutes for old habits is also helpful. You need to clarify what benefits you obtain from your new, healthier habits and then reward yourself for achieving them. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier and you have successfully cut out certain “junk foods” for a week or month, then you need to reward yourself in a positive and rewarding way. This could be splurging for a therapeutic massage or a gourmet (healthy) dinner out. It could be just about anything positive, as long as you view it as a positive reward. It is very important to acknowledge and celebrate each of your small steps of progress.

Chart your progress

It is also helpful to keep some kind of written record of your progress. It helps to be able to look back at all the successful steps you have taken. This can be noted on a calendar or journaling a few sentences each day can be inspiring as well. When your current step has successfully been accomplished, it is time to celebrate. Then it is time to decide and write down your next small step.

Support: Giving & Receiving

There is true power in numbers and a support person or group is always a big help in achieving resolutions and goals. I have also discovered a powerful way to help you achieve a new and challenging goal is to help someone else achieve a similar resolution or goal. When you are challenged with your new goal, simply helping another to define and achieve their goal can give you the clarity and motivation to accomplish yours as well. Also, it is always okay and recommended to ask for help when you need it.

Make Time for You Every Day

Many people do not achieve their resolutions and goals because they allow themselves to become overwhelmed and stressed by their lives. By committing to a set amount of time for yourself each day, you can reflect on your progress, and stay centered and focused. For some, this is a meditation or prayer time, a walk in nature, yoga, Tai Chi, a mineral bath with music, journaling or simply retreating into your bedroom and putting a sign on your bedroom door that says “Time Out.” The key is to commit to a certain amount of time every day for yourself and stick to it. I have found when I do this, I am much more productive and present in all areas of my life. I feel in control of my life, instead of life’s circumstances and situations controlling me.

May this New Year bring you more of what you truly desire and more time to do it,
one (conscious) step at a time.

Christine Dreher, CCN, CCH, is the founder and president of Christine’s Cleanse Corner, Inc. a nutritional health company in San Diego, CA She is also a Clinical Nutritionist, Herbalist, author of “The Cleanse Cookbook”, editor of the “Transform Your Health” e-newsletter and a Nutritional Coach – she has coached thousands of clients through cleanse, diet and nutritional programs. Her web site is www.TransformYourHealth.com where her health newsletters can be accessed, and her office number is 858-673-0224.