Set personal resolutions that will stick

Before you commit to any goals, make sure you are framing them the right way. Many people think of New Year’s resolutions negatively, as something they should do, which makes it difficult to stay motivated, says Chadnick. Instead, frame your goals in terms of what you want to do.

For example, instead of saying, “I should lose weight” or “I should exercise more,” she says, think of it as, “I want to be healthier” or “I want to feel more energized.”

Once you are thinking about resolutions in a more positive light, follow these five tips to create a strategy to accomplish your personal goals for 2012:

1. Find your inspiration
Think about what you really want to accomplish with your resolutions for this year.

“Find the heart in your goal,” says Chadnick. Ask yourself what it is that inspires you about your resolution.

Instead of just saying: “I want to lose weight,” think about why it’s important, she says. For example, perhaps you want to lose weight to be there for your children or to have more energy.

2. Think about the results
Stay motivated to follow through on your personal New Year’s resolutions by thinking of the results.

When you are starting to work on a resolution in January, she says, it can sometimes feel like there is an abyss between where you are and where you need to go.

Get through that mental block by visualizing how you will feel when you’ve reached your goal. For example, if the plan is to lose weight, Chadnick says, think about what it will feel like to be trimmer and to have more energy.

3. Create a plan
Accomplish your resolutions for 2012 by planning them out.

A goal without a plan is just wishful thinking, says Chadnick. Make your resolutions a reality by thinking about the steps you need to take to be successful.

If your resolution is to run a marathon, for instance, then you need to plan things such as: setting a training schedule, finding a running partner, adopting better eating habits and buying the right gear.

4. Break it down
Make your resolutions for this year more manageable by breaking them down into smaller goals.

Having a plan that cuts a resolution into chunks makes it more manageable and creates a foundation for success, says Chadnick.

For example, if you have a personal goal to run a marathon, set milestones throughout the year, such as: “I will run for 20 minutes without stopping by March” or “I will run 5 kms by the end of May.”

Don’t forget to think about your goals on a weekly or even daily basis, she says, to stay motivated and focused. For instance, you might plan to run three times this week or to pick up a new pair of running shoes.

5. Prepare for setbacks
Things almost never go according to plan, so don’t worry if the strategy for your 2012 resolutions hits a few snags along the way.

“Getting to a goal, particularly if it’s a big goal, might not be a straight line,” says Chadnick. You need to recognize that there might be a few bumps and detours as you work towards your resolutions, but that you will get there in the end.