Guarantee Your New Year's Resolutions by Turning Them Into Goals.

Every year at exactly this time, the articles and news stories begin building on the topic of "New Year's Resolutions". Whether it's a news reporter on the scene of a New Year's Eve party or someone warning us not to fall into the typical New Year's Resolution trap, it doesn't matter who is writing the story; these are all reminders to think about the things we want to achieve and how to make them happen.

Sadly though, many people who make New Year's Resolutions won't achieve them. Why not? They aren't thinking about their resolutions as goals. Resolutions won't happen unless they are a turned into goals that you are passionate about and you take actions to achieve them.

How Can You Turn Your New Year's Resolutions into Goals?

According to a report by Psychology Today, published on December 21, 2009, one of the most popular New Year's Resolutions is losing weight. So let's use this as an example of how to turn your New Year's resolution into a goal.

First, Ask Why? If losing weight is something you resolve for in 2010, you'll need to turn it into a goal by considering all of the actions necessary to achieve it. First, ask yourself: Why? Why do you want to reach this goal? Why is important to you? What satisfaction or reward will this goal bring to you and your life? Why is it meaningful to you. If it's not meaningful or important to you, don't do it.

Next, Consider the Details. How many pounds do you want to lose? What date would you like to reach this goal? What exercise routine are you going to commit yourself to each day? How are you going to change your eating habits? What will you eliminate, what will you add? What resources are you going to use as support? Which people will you count on for encouragement? What do you want to reward yourself with after you've lost the weight? Write all of your details down on paper. Keep it with you daily, or post it somewhere visible to you every day.

Most Important: Take Action! Don't just plan your goals, work on them every single day. If they're important to you and you've considered everything you can to achieve them, then all you have left to do is see the plan through.

To Keep You Focused...

I highly recommend creating a trigger word that you can use when you find yourself straying. It could be the words, "New Year's Resolution", it could be "size 4", or it could be "new job". Say it over and over and over again as you work on your action steps and turn your resolution into goals and your goals into reality.
If you find that you are highly motivated to go after your greatest dreams but you're getting frustrated with lack of progress, here's what you can do:

Go Back to Step 1 and Ask Why. Remember to ask yourself why you are working on your goal. It must be something you're passionate about; if it's not, then you should be spending your time and energy on something that you are passionate about.

Revisit Your Action Plan. Take a second look at your action plan. See if there are any critical elements missing. Have you considered all the things necessary to reach your goals?

Reach Out For Help. Take some time to consider the people and resources that will help you achieve your goal. Have you reached out to them? Have you attended a free goal setting seminar for example? Have you learned all you can about how to reach your goals? The more actions you take toward your goals the closer they are within reach.