How to stick to your new year's resolution

So, 2015 is just around the corner... Time to dig up the New Year's Resolution you've written out for 2014, or was it 2013, well.. It actually dates back to 2011! It's not easy to achieve a New Year's Resolution, especially when your list is as long as the grocery shopping list for the upcoming family reunion at Christmas!

Make sure you set realistic and attainable goals this time round so that you can finally achieve them and maintain them year round.. Instead of "attempting" to do something and giving up after a week! What do they say: "if at first the fries don't succeed... fry, fry, fry again..." Or do I have the entire admirable motivational quote wrong?!

On a serious note, if you do fail... try, try, try again! Whether you have fitness goals, life goals, relationship goals, religious goals, lifestyle goals, economic goals... or any other goals, make sure to start off your new year by working towards achieving them.

Try the following tips to make your expectations a reality within a year:

1. Start small- Don't expect to become a billionaire when you daytime job involves sitting on the couch and watching T.V. or running a marathon when in reality, you get out of breath by just walking to the fridge.
2. Have realistic goals- It's not realistic to expect to suddenly win Mr./Mrs. Olympia if you've never set foot in a gym, if you have 3 kids to take care of and have a very small income.
3. Don't set too much goals- Focus on one thing at a time. Chances are, you'll be much more upset if you don't reach all 13 goals instead of only failing at one. Don't try to quit smoking, run a 5K, move to another country and get a degree in Business all at once.
4. Find something enjoyable- Whatever your goals are, make sure it's something that will make you happy, and make sure the process of achieving it also makes you happy. You are more likely to continue your journey when its enjoyably. Don't try losing weight by starving yourself or doing endless amounts of cardio when in reality, you love food and hate cardio machines. Choose something you enjoy, like swopping certain foods for healthier versions and rather training outside if you enjoy being outdoors.
   
5. Review your life- What are the areas that need attention most? Weight loss? Reconnecting with your religion? Instead of having the exact same resolution each year, and failing at it, start with something completely new. If you've tried to get a promotion for five years straight, do something else for a change that might be easier to reach.
   
6. Have a vision board- Be it a piece of paper on the fridge, a printout inside of your cupboard, a picture of someone who inspires you o your wallpaper or even a quote or a check off list on the wall. Have something to remind you of your journey every step of the way.
7. Attach positive connotations to your goals- Instead of dragging yourself to the gym and complaining about how much you hate sweating, rather remind yourself of how much better you feel when completing a workout.
   
8. Find support- Tell family and friends about your aspirations, join an online or personal group with similar goals, start a website to hold you accountable, share it on social media. Support is very important as the people you surround yourself with can either promote or derail your progress.
   
9. Don't be too hard on yourself- Every single step in the right direction counts. You may fail at times, you may even temporarily give up on your goals and you will have setbacks, that's life! Don't punish yourself for whatever mistake you've made, it's not a mistake if you learn from it.
10. Reward yourself- You just managed to save R150 by not buying that top you surely don't need, you can add that to your savings. However small the step is to reaching your goal, make sure to reward yourself every now and again. Now, I'm not saying go splurge all the savings for an entire new shoe collection just because you "said no" this one time. But give yourself a pat on the back, buy yourself a candy bar or brag about yourself on social media or to friends every time you're one step closer to reach your goals.