Evaluate Your Resolution Goals and Gain a Second Wind

We’re two weeks into the new year and those resolutions are losing a little of their luster. Whether you’re already tempted to cheat on the diet, tired of the treadmill or sick of organizing the closets, consider these things to help you refresh your resolution energy!

What was your original motivation? Is it still valid?

Yes, life is overwhelming, and it can be hard to chart a new path. But remember the reason you made that resolution in the first place! Are you still tired of seeing clutter everywhere you look? Are you still convinced that losing 10 pounds would reap benefits for your health? Are you still concerned about your financial well-being? Write your original motivation down and tape it to a mirror or a door so that you remember exactly why you’re working to improve an aspect of your life.

Why are you struggling? Not seeing enough progress?

It’s been 10 days! Surely that’s long enough to have (dropped 5 pounds, saved $50, cleaned the entire house)! Patience, my friend. Resolutions are life changers – they can’t be accomplished in a short period of time. We are a society of Now Now Now! But true change – worthwhile change – takes longer than that. Every day, write down what you’ve done to work toward your goals. Did you skip your morning latte? Take a walk at lunch? Not buy something on super amazing clearance? All of those small actions will make a big difference – and if you write them down, you might see that you’re accomplishing more than you think.

Do you have outside support? Are friends and family involved?

No man is an island! Talk about your resolutions with the people closest to you, and make sure they are supporting, not sabotaging. Will your coworkers slap your hand if you want to shop at lunchtime? Will your family come over to help declutter a closet or haul larger items to a resale shop? Involve everyone in your life in helping you reach your goals.

Are your goals realistic?

Too many times, we are seduced by the power of the New Year. We set goals that seem achievable under the sparkle of a mirror ball, but prove unrealistic in the harsh light of day. MODIFY your goals if that is the case, don’t abandon them! You made the resolution for a reason. Maybe you can’t lose 20 pounds this month, but 5 is absolutely possible. Maybe you can’t run a marathon quite yet, but a 5k or 10k sounds great! Maybe your closets are still a disaster, but you can tackle the kitchen drawers this weekend. It’s too early to give up. There’s an entire year of possibility stretched before you!

photo credit: Epiclectic

Related posts:

1. Making Goals for the New Year Instead of Resolutions
2. How to Make a Resolution and Keep it
3. Resolution Relevation
4. Setting Goals for 2009
5. Blogger Resolutions – Setting Blog Goals for 2012