Goal makers and breakers
Toni Merriss
Issue date: 1/11/07 Section: Features
First off, after choosing your bad habit of 2006 to get rid of, write it down. Keep it in multiple places. The more you see it, the more it will remind you to stay on top of the plan. (Or you might just get tired of throwing away all those little papers, but whatever.)
Next, realize that to successfully change your habit, it should be done in steps. For example, if your long-term goal is to give up fast food, then maybe a good starting point is to just cut down on the fast food intake each month.
Another alternative is making a promise to yourself that anytime you want fast food, you have to actually get out of the car to get it instead of going through the drive-thru. For some, that is enough to not frequent the local burger joint for every breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Last but not least, is to not be too hard on yourself. If you give yourself no room for flexibility than sooner or later the tight space is going to suffocate you. Everyone messes up once in awhile (yes, everyone) and the more realistic you are about your goals, the more realistic your outcome will be.
So good luck and happy resolutions!
Next, realize that to successfully change your habit, it should be done in steps. For example, if your long-term goal is to give up fast food, then maybe a good starting point is to just cut down on the fast food intake each month.
Another alternative is making a promise to yourself that anytime you want fast food, you have to actually get out of the car to get it instead of going through the drive-thru. For some, that is enough to not frequent the local burger joint for every breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Last but not least, is to not be too hard on yourself. If you give yourself no room for flexibility than sooner or later the tight space is going to suffocate you. Everyone messes up once in awhile (yes, everyone) and the more realistic you are about your goals, the more realistic your outcome will be.
So good luck and happy resolutions!
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