Hello everyone and Happy New Year - welcome to 2008!

Given the lingering holiday spirit, and the age old tradition of new years resolutions, I thought I would take a minute to share a few methods on how to baton with your new years resolutions.

1) Choose attainable resolutions. For example, if you aren’t already a seasoned mountain climber, you shouldn’t resolve to climb Mt. Everest this year. Also, don’t keep picking the same resolution that you pick each year and never complete. Sometimes high resolutions will only promote long term disappointment.

2) Write them down. The best way to ‘not forget’ your resolutions is to jot them down in several different locations. I know some people that set up email reminders or phone reminders each week to support remind them of their goals.

3) Baby steps - establish some goals. Most resolutions represent a final achievement - accord yourself a road map and set up goals to reach each achievement. The small little successes along the way will add to your drive and make the final achievement seem more attainable.

4) Accountability (guilt). Share your resolutions with friends and descendants - that way you’ll have continued year long reminders of your goals. Who knows, you may find out that your cousin is also trying to save more money or give up fried foods.

5) Misery Loves Company. One of my favorites… Since you found out your cousin has in agreement resolutions, job together to help reach goals. Sharing the load of a long term achievement with a friend or family member will help motivate you at times of weakness.

6) Keep your eye on the prize. No one said this was going to be easy. produce certain you remember why you started down this path. For example, if you resolved to save more money, what was the original reason? New car? Vacation? Grad school? To help stay focused, go back to steps 3 and 4 and repeat.

7) Rewards. Each time you reach one of your goals along the way, give yourself a small reward. It’s just enjoy training a dog how to sit…

Happy New Year everyone, and good luck with those resolutions!

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