Tips to achieve your New Year's resolutions

New Year’s resolutions can be a good thing, but they can also be more of a detriment than a positive in our lives. Life isn’t perfect and neither are we. So when you make your resolution, make it with determination to succeed but with the knowledge that falling doesn’t mean that you are a failure. Make it with the knowledge that readjusting your goal (up or down) isn’t a sign of weakness. Make your resolution with the determination that the real goal is to be a happier, healthier you.

Write it down

Write your resolution down and post it throughout the house. Print it out on a pretty note card and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Put it on your refrigerator along with everything else. Write it on the inside of a pretty greeting card and set it on your desk at work. Frame it and set it by the kitchen sink. Just make sure you can see it all the time.

Share your resolutions

Share your resolution with your friends and family. Tell them you are committed to being a better parent, losing weight, giving something up — whatever it be. Ask them to hold you accountable, or maybe even join you.

Ask for support

From time to time, ask your friends and family how you’re doing. Remember to thank them for their support!

Keep trying

Don’t look at lapses as defeat. Every resolution has its setbacks. Don’t stress over it — just get back up and go on. Remember if you fall seven times, get up eight!

Set realistic goals

Make realistic resolutions. Instead of saying you’ll lose 25kg, set a goal of losing one to two kilos a month. Instead of saying you’ll exercise for an hour every day, go for 20–30 minutes three or four days a week. Set milestones or "mini goals" along the way. Seeing progress is inspiration.

Reward yourself

Reward yourself for your progress. When you’ve gone 30 days without smoking, go out for dinner or buy yourself that perfume you’ve been wanting.

Do what makes you happy

Make sure the resolution is something you WANT to do — not what you think someone else expects you to do. If your heart isn’t in it, you’ll never follow through.

Find healthy alternatives

Find a substitute for the behaviour you want to change. For example, if you want to cut fat from your diet, find tasty alternatives. If you want to spend more time with your children, don’t work overtime, or turn off your phone after dinner.