Starting the New Year Right –
A Guide for a Healthy 2011

Setting goals for the New Year can be a daunting task, but it may be more achievable than committing to resolutions. It is most common for people to set resolutions on the first of the year and then give up on them soon thereafter. Because of difficulty in sticking with resolutions, it is suggested to focus on realistic goals. Goals should be specific, achievable and include a timeframe.

Here are a few simple steps to help you set goals in the new year.

1. Start by writing down your goals and making them as specific as possible. Avoid general goals like eating healthy or losing weight. The more specific the goal, the more likely you’ll follow through. Example: “I will lose 15 pounds by July 1st.”
2. As part of your written goals, list each step that you will take to work towards that goal. You can put these in outline form, and underneath each goal add three sub-points that will help keep you focused. So if you want to lose 15 pounds by July 1st, how specifically will you do that? Example: "I will exercise three days a week for 30 minutes; or, I will not each dessert at lunch."
3. Be kind to yourself. Don’t try to change your entire life all at once. Select one or two issues that are most troubling or dissatisfying and tackle them before you add more to your list. For example, if you are unhappy with disorganization at home and work, pick one site (or just one closet) to organize. Breaking projects down into smaller chunks makes it less overwhelming.
4. Share your goals with a friend or family member. Going public will help you commit. And, you will get encouragement along the way.
5. Celebrate success. Celebrate progress and small achievements. Take note of your accomplishments even if you haven’t reached 100% of your goal. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.