New Years Resolution!

Americans are obsessed with newness; the potential and anticipation of a clean slate drives thousands to make promises - both to ourselves and to others - that we hope to keep.
Instructions.

Things You'll Need:
•Goals
•Plan
•Support
•Inspiration
•Time

Step 1

Strategize how to reach your goal.

Write down your long-range goal, then break it down into smaller steps.

"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time,"

Step 2

Replace bad habits with good ones.

Smoking, drinking, spending money, and eating can all fill a void in your life and relieve stress, at least in the short term.

Quitting these habits without replacing them with something positive will leave you feeling empty and out of sorts.
Devise a substitution plan for the pleasure that your vices once gave you.

Figure out what healthy alternatives give you pleasure and use these as replacements. Exercising, attending a concert, playing chess, going to the movies, hiking, reading, taking a class at the local college, visiting with friends, using a nicotine substitute like Commit are just a few endeavors that can be used to fill the void.
Step 3

Get a handle on the self talk.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Stop telling yourself what a loser you are, or that you'll never be able to quit smoking, drinking, or lose weight. These negative thoughts can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You must become your own cheerleader. Replace the negative self talk with the truth. Acknowledge that yes, you may have blown it in the past, but you now have a plan. Refer to your plan. Remind yourself of your successes often. Begin to be kind to yourself (which isn't the same thing as being easy on yourself). Treat yourself with at least as much thought and compassion as you would a friend.
Step 4

Visualize yourself accomplishing your goal.

It long has been understood that athletes use the practice of visualization to prepare for their individual sports.

Spend some time each day quietly picturing yourself as a non-smoker, debt free, 30 pounds lighter or successful at whatever your goal is.

Your subconscious mind will use these pictures to help you achieve your goal.
Step 5

Find a buddy.

Isolation makes it easy to pass on the gym because you're the only one who knows if you don't go. Accountability makes it harder. If someone is waiting to go on a run with you, disappointing them factors into your decision on whether you'll skip it.
Sometimes a sounding board is all that's needed to get over the temptation to run down to the clearance sale at Wally World and max out your credit card. There are lots of support groups online, at local churches, gyms, and community centers that you can explore to find a group or person to help you remain focused on the prize.
Step 6

Expect to fall off the wagon.

No one is perfect and no one ever will be perfect. If you scarf down a pepperoni pizza and a gallon of ice cream all by your lonesome one day it's just that - ONE DAY. Everyone goofs up.
The key is to not be shocked when it happens -

be prepared.

Don't allow a slip up to be an excuse not only to fall off the wagon but to roll down into the ditch and wallow around.
"Perfectionist thinking gets in the way of success more than anything I know,"

says Vicki Saunders, a registered dietitian who oversees the inpatient weight loss and lifestyle program at St. Helena Hospital in Napa, Calif.
Step 7

track your progress.

Keep a journal, a spreadsheet, cross off the days on a calendar, whatever fits your lifestyle, but make sure that you keep track of how you're doing.
Tracking keeps you honest.
Step 8

Read, watch, or listen to something inspiring every week.

This will give you added motivation to stick with your program.
Step 9

Make it fun.

If you aren't enjoying yourself, your changes won't stick