Will your 2018 New Year’s resolutions sparkle or sizzle?

Are you one of the 45% of Americans that typically make a New Year’s Resolution? I am. Every year, I make a list of 3-4 goals I want to accomplish to make that year my best year ever. I look at it as the chance each year to get a bit closer to the best version of myself. And most Americans agree. The top resolution in 2015 was related to self-improvement. Generally, the top resolution is related to weight, fitness or being healthy.

Like me, you might be wondering why you can be such an achiever at work and in getting things done in every other area of your life, but for some reason these resolutions rarely make it. You’re not alone. After the shininess of the New Year rubs off, very few Americans actually keep their New Year’s Resolution, about 8%. Even just 30 days later, almost 35% of those who made a New Year’s Resolution have already given up. After some personal accidental experiments, I’ve discovered three techniques that helped me accomplish my resolutions.

STEP YOUR GOALS. I still remember the year I decided to focus on my health. I wanted to eat better, work out every day, and sleep at least 8 hours every night. In deciding to eat better, I decided I was going to give up all carbs and sugar and basically go Paleo. Now, I have friends who have made the choice to eat Paleo and I certainly appreciate the discipline it takes to consistently do that. It takes energy to be disciplined. For me, it was too much. I didn’t have enough energy to commit to the goal. I gave up in a week. On the other hand, a couple years later, I set a goal to reduce my sugar intake. So I made a small change for 40 days – I gave up putting any sweeteners in my tea and coffee. It stuck. Even today, I no longer put sugar in my coffee and tea. My taste buds have actually changed.

So, like me, you probably don’t have the bandwidth to go cold turkey. You probably need to make small changes in order to sustain them. Instead of couch to trying to work out every day, perhaps, set a goal that you’ll work out for 15 minutes a day or 30 minutes three times a week. When that becomes part of your routine, then you can step your goal up to the next level. If you increase the goal every 60-90 days, you can create an amazing transformation in one year!

FOCUS. Now, you may be thinking, I only made one or two resolutions. But typically, we have unwritten goals that we’re trying to achieve as well. One year, I decided to actually write down everything I was trying to achieve. Between health (eating better, working out, getting enough sleep), work, finances, and family and friends, I had 23 goals. I’m not kidding. 23. Individually, there were all SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) but there was no way I could accomplish 23 goals.

Most of us can only focus on a few things at a time. As my mother used to tell me, you can do it all – just not at the same time. The more we try to do at the same time, the less energy we’re able to extend on each one. So take a few minutes and write down everything that you’re trying to change in your life. Every goal requires energy and space in order to commit to the change. Too many goals can spread your energy (your most precious consumable) too thin.

TAKE SOMETHING OFF YOUR PLATE. I’m going to assume that you (like me) are probably already pretty busy. You’re probably not sitting around waiting for a new goal that you can work on. You have a full plate. Most of my female clients are overwhelmed with the chaos of life, work, family, friends, etc. Then, as a New Year approaches, with shiny optimism they set a goal forgetting the reality of their current full plate of obligations.

I recommend making sure your New Year Resolution is a prioritized commitment. You need to take a look at what’s on your plate and identify what’s going to come off in order to have the energy for the new commitment. For example, when I decided to train for a half-marathon, I had to reduce my commitments in other areas. In particular, I chose to reduce the number of hours I was volunteering every week to create the space for my new goal.

So as you start thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2018, keep in mind these simple strategies to help you make your resolutions not sizzle out. Lastly, but equally important, take the time to reward yourself and celebrate your progress towards your goal. May your 2018 sparkle and shine with your success!