How to Make a New Years Resolution

A resolution? People are making a lot of them at New Years. What exactly is a resolution? Resolution is a noun meaning the act of resolving. Resolve means:  to deal with successfully : clear up <resolve doubts> <resolve a dispute> b : to find an answer to, to reach a firm decision about <resolve to get more sleep>

I like those definitions! My New Years Resolutions will help me deal successfully with breaking bad habits that I have formed, they will help me find an answer to my dilemmas, and the last one, they will help me reach a firm decision about something I need to do, change, think about, etc.

How does one make a New Years Resolution?

First, decide what you want to do this next year.
For me, I have a list a mile long:

• lose 96 pounds by this time next year by following Alex Beedings 10 weight loss challenges and going to TEAM 3 days a week.
• take on 3-4 sub jobs a week
• get my own classroom by the fall
• start a business with Kim - KD Whimsy CO
• finish the Mary Engelbreit cross-stitch quilt squares and make them into a quilted wall-hanging
• finish Destinys wedding present before June
• start a novel in January and finish it by November
• start a year scrapbook and finish my other scrapbooking projects
• and finish reading my stack of books...

Second, determine what this list will require
For me it will require a good dose of discipline, self-control, time management, organization and business savvy.

Third, break down your goals into smaller, measureable objectives. 
For example, my goal is to follow Alex's ten weight loss challenges, these include

• eating rainbow veggies every day (red, green, yellow/orange, white and blue/purple,
• eat 7-9 servings of veggies and 2-3 servings of fruit every day,
• drink at least 96 oz. of water every day,
• eat out no more than 5 times a week,
• remember to take vitamins and other supplements,
• no carbs or low carbs after 6,
• practice push-ups, planks and crunches every day,
• do something extra (water aerobics, extra walks, lifting weights)
•  and no more than 3 sweets a week 

oops, thats only nine... whats the other one? Anyways, all those little objectives look hard unless I make them measurable...making them measurable involves deciding how often I need to do this...every day or a few times a week?

Finally, make your resolutions to help you change the habit, thought process, etc. to help you accomplish your goals

Therefore, knowing that I want to do all of the above I therefore resolve:

to change my negative thinking to positive thinking...I can do this! I am strong! I am creative! Nothing is gonna stop me now!
I resolve to purge out old habits and replace them with healthier habits.
I resolve to let no negative excuse slip from my lips...
I resolve to wake up earlier so I can have more time in the day to plan and prepare
I resolve to declutter my belongings and sell,  give away or throw away anything that hinders me from accomplishing my goals.
I resolve to set aside time each week to work on my crafty projects and writing.
I resolve to spend money wisely buying no more new books until I finish the ones I need to read.
Finally, I resolve to not forsake my relationships with God, my family and my friends...they are my reason for living...

And most of all... always remember this:
If it matters you make the time.
If it doesn't you'll make excuses...

That's why most New Years Resolutions ends so quickly... most of us are really good at making excuses...