Another year is coming to an end.

Another year is coming to an end.  It seems like a perfect time to make some important changes. But last year’s New Years resolutions decided to hang around a bit longer. We will talk about that later! But not to worry, a new year is right around the corner. How exciting, the joy of New Year’s Eve, the anticipation of the New Years countdown, the champagne, the first kiss of the year, the comradery of friends and family welcoming the new year, and of course, the same old New Years Resolutions.

With that said that, if you feel compelled to make New Year's resolutions, here's some tips to help you make them work:

• Focus on one resolution, rather several and set realistic, specific goals. Losing weight is not a specific goal. Losing 10 pounds in 90 days would be; Do your research and make a plan
• Don't wait till New Year's eve to make resolutions. Make it a long process, every day for 30 days.
• Take baby steps. Many people quit because the goal is too big requiring too much effort and action all at once;
• Have an accountability friend, someone close to you to whom you have to report;              
• Celebrate your success between milestones. Don't wait for the goal to be finally completed; celebrate when you feel like you accomplished part of your goal.
• Focus your thinking on new behaviors and thought patterns. You have to create new neural pathways in your brain to change habits; think your way to success. Meditation and prayer are great ways for this.
• Focus on the present. What's the one thing you can do today, right now, towards your goal? Write your daily goals down first thing in the morning or before you go to bed.
• Be mindful. Become physically, emotionally and mentally aware of your inner state as each external event happens, moment-by-moment, rather than living in the past or future. Slow down and appreciate life's little moments.
• And finally, don't take yourself to seriously. Have fun and laugh at yourself when you slip, but don't let the slip hold you back from starting again. Start back immediately.

There are also several reasons why we dont meet our New Years Resolutions, but the main ones for me are...

• Thinking “there’s always next year”
•  I have a whole year, I’ll start next month

Your reasons may be completely different than mine. The point is to acknowledge those reasons to find out how to overcome them.

The challenge that most people seem to have is giving up to soon and knowing theres always next year! But thats part of the problem, who knows if we will get to be around next year?  For me, I always put myself in the mindset of “now”. Next year may not come, the time is here and now. One month, one week, one day  passed is one to many wasted and I have no time to waste. We only get ONE life to live and we dont know for how long, so let’s do this thing! Lets make ourselves proud!! We can do anything we set our minds too!! ANYTHING!! Good luck to us all!