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Top tips to keep New Year’s resolutions
With the end of 2007 in sight, many people already have half a mind on New Year’s resolutions, particularly because they are planning the excesses of the season and dreading what they’re going to have to give up when Christmas is over.
But how many people will stick with their resolutions? Not many, unless they really work at it according to Matt Caulfield, a Birmingham based NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) specialist who has just issued a list of top tips to help people succeed with their New Year goals.
Matt works with businesses to improve their performance by enhancing the skills of their staff and also with individuals to help them with phobias, such as spiders and flying for example and most importantly for the New Year, stopping smoking and weight loss.
Matt added “Many things that people plan to do to improve themselves and their lives are fundamentally very simple, for example losing weight is achieved by eating less and moving about more. Getting started is fairly easy, but sticking to it can be very hard – one very good idea is getting someone with a similar goal to work at it with you, another is to tell everyone what your goal is, so you’ll be embarrassed to give it up too easily.”
In a recent poll conducted amongst the region’s media professionals the most frequent resolution was to give up smoking – again.
The most honest included a final item “rip up resolution list after two weeks”.
So how can we set those goals and stick to them?
Here are Matt Caulfield’s top ten tips for making resolutions work:
1. Be honest
Do you really want to do it? Or are you just doing it because you think you should? If you really don't want to do it, you won't even manage
the first step, so don't bother! So relax and enjoy yourself (see tip 10)
2. Be bold
Set a massive goal and really go for it. Even if you don't succeed you will have made it much further than if you had set a mediocre target.
3. Be realistic
Set a massive goal but be realistic about how to achieve it and how long it will take you. You want to lose 3 stone? You won't do that in a week! Not sure what to do? Seek professional advice.
4. Live the goal
Before you begin, imagine exactly what it will be like when you succeed. See it, hear it, feel it, even smell it and taste it.
Keep that in mind, it will help keep you motivated.
5. Be positive.
State what you want not what you don't want. If I tell you NOT to think of orange penguins, what is the first thing you think of? Your brain doesn't deal too well with "don't", so think what it is you really want. If you want to stop smoking for example, then why?
To be healthier? Fitter? Richer?
6. Tell everyone
If you really mean it, tell everyone you know. The embarrassment of telling people that you have quit will keep you going!
7. Feedback
How do you know you are getting there? You need a way of testing yourself. Do it regularly.
8. Ecology check
Ecology is a fancy word for the relationship between the organism (you) and the environment. Only affect the world around you in a neutral or positive way. Want to make some money? Well you could rob a Post Office, but that is probably not the best way, is it?
9. Do it with someone else
Find someone who wants the same or similar goals. Working together will keep you focused and motivated.
10. Have fun
There is nothing worse than aiming for some future goal and having a miserable time trying to achieve it. Ask yourself "what is the most fun way I can achieve this goal?". Life is a journey, not a destination...
And as a bonus:
11: Get a coach!
A coach is someone who can impartially and objectively help you work through you goals and the best way to achieve them. You will set targets and be accountable to your coach for achieving them. This gives you extra motivation, knowledge and assistance which can prove to be invaluable.
Happy New Year.
ENDS
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com