Ravi Vora

Ready for Y2K version .08? First thing’s first: find some lucky devil to plant one on at the stroke of midnight. Then, lose 30 pounds, learn Mandarin, get a promotion, and spend every minute with your family and friends.

A little overwhelming? Unless you’re Superman, I think you might need a plan.

Every January 1st we make resolutions and every mid-February we’re stuffing our face with cake and don’t regret it until May. So, why is it so hard to just achieve our new year’s goals every year? Because we’re human. Yep, that’s right. Human.

So, to combat our fallibility, we need a few easy ways to keep on track of our goal for a happier and healthier year. Here’s the top 10 countdown to keep your new years resolution on track.

1. Choose just one resolution. Yeah, just one. With only one clear goal in mind it’ll be easier for you to achieve it and fulfill it completely. Once you’ve finished the goal, you can always start a new one.
2. Make your resolution very specific. If you want to save enough money for a trip to Europe, then figure exactly how much money you will need. A specific dollar amount will make the goal much clearer, more real, and achievable.
3. Write it down. The mind has a strong connection to things that are reinforced by muscle response. By writing it down you will create a strong bond between the memory of the resolution and thus the likelihood you will achieve it.
4. Agree to achieve the resolution with a friend. Having a friend agree to the resolution with you will make it much easier to achieve. As long as you keep each other honest, the failure rate will drop tremendously simply because you don’t want to appear weak in your friend’s eyes. Peer acceptance is a wonderful thing.
5. Set achievable goals. Instead of saying you want to learn a new language, resolve to learn 20 words in that language a week or even 20 words a month. As long as it is in small steps toward your goal, you will be more likely to achieve the whole thing. If the goal is too overwhelming you will give up on it and ultimately fail at your resolution.
6. Put constant reminders in place. If your resolution is to find time and money to go to Italy, then put pictures of Italy around your room. Make Rome your computer desktop at work. Have italian opera play as your ringtone. The more you are reminded of your goal, the more likely you will take steps to achieve it.
7. Have a checkpoint each month. Instead of setting your end goal at “some time next year,” set a smaller goal for each month. That way you will have a reference guide to how well you are doing at sticking to your resolution. This will make it more tangible and not as daunting.
8. Don’t break the chain. This great method has been made famous recently by Jerry Seinfeld and has really made an impact. Every day that you accomplish a step toward your goal, put a red X on your calendar. After a while you will see a chain. Don’t break the chain, and you’re sure to succeed. (You can make an online chain for yourself for free here)
9. Advertise your resolution. Again you are relying on your peers and your reputation to help you succeed. If you tell everyone your resolution, you’ll be more likely to accomplish it. After all, no one wants to be a liar.
10. Realize you’re imperfect. There’s a reason you gained 15 pounds over the winter: you like food. So, to get back to your slim, trim, sexy self, you’re going to have to try. It’s going to take sweat and eating things that don’t taste like Krispy Kreme donuts. If you falter a little bit, don’t worry about it. Just make up for it later and keep trying hard.

I wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year, whatever it is your resolution may be.

If you have one to share, please leave me a comment as I’d love to hear what your goals are for this year!

My resolution is to make a movie. Not just to make one, but write, direct, and act in it.