Setting New Year Resolutions and How to Keep Them

Instead of counting your days, make your days count. How can someone move beyond making New Year resolutions and begin creating solutions? How can a person keep those goals they’ve set? By working on core issues instead of just making cosmetic changes, they can set affirmative goals. By going beyond the symptoms of a problem and redirecting themselves towards the source of the problem, they can commit to making a difference. By taking an in-depth look at the priorities of life they will begin to see where they’re most devoted.

Setting goals is not always easy. Living a life of purpose requires diligence.

Start with faith. Fill your mind with good things, positive things and build that purpose into your life.

In Calvin Miller’s book, A Hunger for the Holy, he writes, “We fear the search for who we are. Perhaps it’s because we’re afraid that having located our true souls, we might not like ourselves that much. So, we shrink to step across the threshold to our inner selves and invite God in…But no matter how we love the love the busy world of our relationships, the fast-action theater of our noisy and hurried lives at last empties out. Then we find ourselves in lonely cells of bulky silence that compels us to turn from the outer things and face our inner selves–and our mighty God.”

Perhaps one can begin by looking within?  

The year may be coming to an end and a new year promises to be more hopeful than last with its anticipating prospects. What sort of goals are you setting?

Are these resolutions for a better you?

Statistics show that many goals set in the year are given up within a month.  Research has shown that, after six months, fewer than half the people who make New Year’s resolutions have stuck with them. After a year, it’s around ten percent. While experts say to plan for a marathon and not a short-term hike, why not start right from where you are? A small step towards your goal leads to bigger steps in the future.

Remember you are stronger than you think you are. Start a daily plan and commit to it. When it doesn’t work the way you expected, then readjust the plan.  Seek support from others and raise your accountability.  Visualize your success and keep it close as a daily reminder. 

Keep in mind, there will be setbacks, but don’t let it stop you. Track your successes with little rewards. Stay positive. Stand firm. Believe in yourself and most of all keep your faith.