New Year’s Resolutions: We Make Em, We Break Em

By Marsha Jordan

97% of people who make New Year’s resolutions abandon them within 30 days. With a failure rate like that, why should I even bother?

Is there a secret to successfully keeping my resolutions?

Maybe I should resolve to gain weight, exercise less, develop bad habits, procrastinate, and watch more TV in the new year. Maybe I could keep resolutions like those.

No, that’s not the answer. We need to resolve to do things in the new year that will make us better people and will improve the world. Here are four simple tips to make keeping those resolutions easier:

1) Start with small steps - Don’t resolve to lose 30 pounds.

Resolve to skip dessert once a week and exercise once a week. After these small changes become habits, implement bigger changes and increase your exercise time. Small successes will inspire you to move forward. If your goals are too lofty, you’re doomed to failure. Start small and work your way up to bigger and better things over time.

2) Be specific - Don’t set general goals.

If you resolve to be a better spouse this year, you don’t have a plan; so chances are it won’t happen. Think of a specific thing your spouse would like you to do for him or her (like giving a back rub at the end of the day, picking up your underwear, or taking out the garbage without being asked). Resolve to make the effort to do that one thing on a regular basis. Small changes can make a big difference in your relationship. Little things DO mean a lot.

3) Have some accountability.

We all need someone who will check up on us. Knowing that someone will ask how I’m doing will motivate me to work toward the goal. Share with a friend what you’ve determined to do and ask them to check back with you each week. There’s a greater chance that you’ll put forth some effort when you’re expecting to give a report on your progress.

4) Choose to do something that has a payoff.

If you resolve to eat more liver this year or to walk 5 miles and do 300 sit ups each day, what pleasure will you derive from that? Set goals that will provide a sense of satisfaction upon completion. Determine to do something that you’ll enjoy so much that you’ll want to continue doing it.

Here is a resolution you can easily keep this year. Give some cheer to a sick child in 2007. It’s a small step that takes only a few moments and can cost you nothing. The payoff is knowing that you’ve brought a little more joy into the life of a suffering little one. Visit the HUGS and HOPE web site (http://www.hugsandhope.org ) and read about the kids featured there.

Choose a child and send him or her a cheery email or post card. That’s all there is to it. This is a goal you can accomplish: Make a difference this year — one smile at a time. Be in the 3% who will achieve success at keeping resolutions this year. And one of the smiles you create just might be your own!

Author Marsha Jordan is founder of the HUGS and HOPE charity for seriously ill and injured children. She is author of “Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter,” inspirational reading illustrated by 40 sick kids.