Resolutions are so last year. The statistics have spoken,brand they have given you no choice but to change your thinking regarding this dreadedbrNew Year task. “Around 78 percent of resolutions are broken within the first 30brdays of making them,” says Life Coach Rick Kolster of Peak Performance Group.
Rick offers a better way tobrget where you want to be in life—this year and beyond. He says to turn everybrhuge resolution into a set of mini achievements.
“It is better to establishbrsmaller goals with specific timeframes that are attainable,” Rick says. “Thebrbiggest reason that resolutions fail is that they aren't clear enough orbrdefined enough. Write down all you want to happen in the year, and bebrspecific.
The experts at ourbrresolution roundtable all gave similar advice on how to attain your goals forbrthe New Year. Interestingly enough, the steps they gave work well underbranyone's expertise umbrella—whether that's health, wealth or happiness.
Here's to your health
Most resolution listsbrfeature a health-focused goal—whether that is to lose pounds, clean up yourbrdiet, or alter your fitness routine. Fortunately, expert Harold Wilson, thebrfitness director at Impact Fitness in Southlake, offers an easy way to makebrthose goals a reality, with a few smaller steps.
First of all, Wilson says, takebra look at your nutrition habits, by resolving to keep a food log. This willbrgive you all the information you need to decide how you want to change yourbrdiet. “But don't just decide to eat carrots to get skinny,” Harold says. “Planbrto incorporate good eating habits on a consistent basis.”
Keeping track of yourbrcaloric intake is an important step as well. “Everybody wants to add up thebrcalories they've burned,” Harold explains, “but it's not as fun to count upbrwhat you consume.” When you consider how often you might eat at a restaurant,brthis may seem like a daunting task. However, as Harold bluntly advises, yourbrbest bet is to “stay out of restaurants.” That's the No. 1 piece of advice hebrwould give to changing your eating habits.
After planning your menu—bestbrprepared at home, Harold notes—you can move onto the fitness side of the coin.brIf you can't remember the last time you exercised (even if it was as far backbras middle school), start out simple and focus on consistency more than anythingbrelse. “Since learning how to make exercise a consistent part of your life isbrparamount, find something easy—something you like: yoga, going to the gym orbrrunning laps,” he says. “The important thing is to make it stick. Adding anbrexercise routine to your life needs to become habit.”
Here's to your wealth
Coming in a closebrsecond to health and wellness resolutions would be money management. For thosebraspiring to save more or pay off debt, we asked Mark Jones, CEO of FirstbrFinancial Bank in Southlake, to share ideas for easy steps to success.
You can't make moneybrgrow on a tree, so Jones suggests resolving to look at your current spending.br“Review each of your expenses, and see where you can cut back, even just abrlittle. Do you really need 1,000 channels on TV only to find there is stillbrnothing on? Can you adjust your thermostat even 1 degree? Little savings addbrup.”
Next, take time tobrdivide and conquer—your investments. “Make sure you are participating in yourbrcompany's 401K and maximizing your investment there,” Mark says, noting it's abrgood way to diversify your portfolio. “Many companies match funds up to certainbramounts so you double your investment immediately. Additionally, review yourbrinvestment portfolio, sell your losers, rethink your strategy, and go for thebrlong haul, not the get-rich-quick scheme.”
With that being said,brit can't be all work and no play, right? “Take the time to spend some money onbryourself, and enjoy the fruits of your labor,” Jones says. “Too much focus onbrsavings can lead to frustration and a quick end to your strategy. Like dieting,brthink about investing for the long haul, not just as a passing fad.”
Here's to helping others
Many desire to spend morebrtime volunteering, resolving in the New Year to engage in non-profit work.brHowever, if you've never volunteered before or have done so intermittently, itbrmay seem like an overwhelming goal to accomplish. Breaking your goal intobrsmall, attainable pieces can work in the non-profit arena as well, says Shonda Schaefer, Executive Director ofbrGRACE, a non-profit in Northeast Tarrant County.
“Start with the web,” Shondabrsays. “There are many neutral websites that have lists of non-profits for youbrto connect with. Usually, these lists features valid 501(c)(3) organizations,brso you don't have to worry about wasting your time and efforts with abrnon-reputable group.”
Once you find anbrorganization in your area that seems like a good fit, visit their website orbrgive them a call to find out if they have orientation. “At GRACE we havebrsessions that give volunteers an idea of the work they can and will be doing,”brShonda says.
“Often times people arebrunaware that their specific talent is exactly what an organization may need,”brshe notes. “For example, those in corporate America may not think their talentsbrwould be of use. But maybe they really like to work with their hands—buildingbrthings. At orientation they will find out exactly what opportunities there are.brDon't discount an organization just because you think you have nothing tobroffer.”
Which leads us to Shonda'sbrmain message. “Think of what your passion is and give in that area. You and thebrorganization will get so much more out of the experience if you are engaging inbrwhat you love to do.”
And here's to seeing the world
Then there's that voice inbryour head that tells you to enjoy the year, in addition to the hard work you'llbrput into losing weight, saving money and helping others. And it should not bebrignored, according to Gloria Currie of Cruise Holidays. “You deserve to travel,”brshe says. “Take a break and get out of the office. Spend time with someonebrspecial, whether that is family or friends.”
Taking a trip is anbrimportant way for many people to banish stress, but don't let trip preparationbrdetails bog you down, break this one into smaller goals with the help of abrprofessional. After all, in order to get what you really want, planning aheadbris key.
You'll get betterbrinformation regarding where to stay and what to do which can make all thebrdifference in the world. And as far as making that travel budget goes? “Make itbrsomething you want to do,” Gloria says. “It is not about price as it is as muchbrabout the value. The memories you will make are priceless!”
Change that tire!
In addition to thebrroundtable's advice—all similar in nature—to plan and be consistent, they eachbrhad something to say about getting off track or falling or the wagon. Any waybryou put it, there are setbacks, and everyone with a dream or goal in mind hasbrsuffered one in their life. But our favorite analogy is one Harold shares. “Ifbryou get a flat tire, you don't jump out of the car and let the air out of allbrthe others, right? You fix the flat and move on.”