How to keep your New Year’s resolutions - part 3

Following on from our last blog on how to stick your New Year’s resolutions, here are five more tips on how to achieve your goals.

6. Change is a process Many of our bad habits have developed over months and years, so understandably it might take just as long to change them. Although it might take a while to achieve your goals, the important thing is, not how long it takes, but, that your behaviour changes in the long run.

7. Don't be put off If you revert back to an old habit, don’t view this as a setback, but rather a learning opportunity. There are always going to be challenges along the way, but it is how you deal with these that matters. You might want to keep a resolution journal to write down important information such as when the relapse occurred and what might have triggered it. By understanding these challenges, you will be better able to cope with them in the future.

8. Get support from loved ones Explain your resolution to loved ones or even join a group of likeminded people that share your goal - they may be able to help you achieve your objective. Having support from others can help you stay motivated.

9. Remind yourself of your motivation For the first few days of January, you may feel energised and motivated to accomplish your New Year's resolution. However, as time goes on and the temptation to skip your gym session or have another cigarette increase, your motivation may start to diminish. At this point you need to remind yourself of why you are trying to change and what you hope to gain by achieving your goal.

10. Don’t give up It is important to keep working on your goals despite setbacks and waining motivation. You may need to modify your current strategy if you feel it is not working and develop a new plan. It might be worth keeping a resolution journal to write about your successes and struggles. Write down the reasons for your goal and use this to motivate and inspire you when times are tough. By working on your goal throughout the year, you can be one of few to say tyou kept your New Year's resolution.

If there is a change you would like to make to your life and this is something we can help with, then please contact us at your local First Psychology centre:

Edinburgh: 0131-668-1440, www.edinburghtherapy.co.uk
Glasgow: 0141-404-5411, www.glasgowpsychology.co.uk
Borders: 01896-800-400, www.borderspsychology.co.uk