Ernst & Haas Management Co Blog

[caption id="attachment_835" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Keeping resolutions can be hard! See below for some helpful resolution-keeping tips. "][/caption] It's a week into 2011 and some of us are already having a hard time keeping our New Year's resolutions. Don't worry, you're in good company - thousands of people are struggling with the same thing, especially if their resolutions involve dropping pounds or cutting addictions. But here's the flip-side: more than 46 percent of people who made resolutions hold to it for more than six months. And according to www.proactivechange.com, those that make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people that don't. Numbers don't lie - and those are some promising numbers! In the meantime, here are some tips provided by www.about.com to help you be a part of the population that makes it past six months: 1. Be Realistic - The sure-fire way to fall short of your goal is to make it unattainable. Strive for a goal that is attainable - something you can realistically accomplish. 2. Plan Ahead - Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives. 3. Outline Your Plan - Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette. This could include calling on a friend to help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your bad habits affect you. 4. Make A 'Pro' and 'Con' List - It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve. 5. Talk About It - Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares the same resolution and motivate each other. 6. Reward Yourself - This doesn't mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. 7. Track Your Progress - Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Keeping some sort of tracking diary or journal may help you stay on the right path. 8. Don't Beat Yourself Up - Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time. 9. Stick To It - Experts say it takes 21 days for a new activity to become a habit, and six months for it to become a part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time. 10. Keep Trying - If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a New Year's resolution any time of the year. We hope these tips are helpful and that you find success in accomplishing your resolutions! Here's to a happy and healthy 2011!