We all make them. And we all break them. So, how do you follow through on your New Year’s Resolutions and stick with them? Here are some simple tips to help you.

Tip 1 – Take Steps

It only makes sense that if you set your goals too big, you won’t dedicate the time or energy to get there. It will be too extreme and simply overwhelm you. Build up to your bigger goals by setting shorter-term intermediate goals that will allow you to build some confidence and momentum. You don’t run a marathon the first day out. I mean, really, who does that? You train and build up to it. So why should any of your other goals be any different? Each time you achieve one of your intermediate steps, you will energize yourself to keep going towards the ultimate goal.

Tip 2 – Make a Schedule & Make it Routine

Ok, I get it. You’re tired. You’re busy. If you followed Tip 1, then this should make Tip 2 easier. Don’t focus on any negative aspects of trying to achieve your goal. Rather focus on how good you are going to feel knowing you took one or two steps in the right direction. This will help you build some momentum. We can always find an excuse not to work out, or floss our teeth. So, make a schedule and build it into your routine. We have routines for many things in our life, like getting up to go to work. Or doing our hair. Build your goal items into your daily schedule and it won’t seem so daunting each time you think about it. It will become automatic.

Tip 3 – Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude

It is easy to get down on yourself, especially if you don’t achieve your goals at the speed you want. It is crucial to maintain a positive mental attitude to get you through those tough times when you want to give up. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, Life is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical. Find ways to keep yourself from getting discouraged. With that in mind, read on...

Tip 4 – Make it Fun & Rewarding

Maybe the most important tip of all is to make whatever you are doing fun. Make a game out of your goal activities. Create a competition with yourself or with others. You can even reward yourself for each goal achieved. Incentives work and can be a fun way to motivate yourself if the goal of self improvement is not motivation enough!

Tip 5 – Use New Technology to Help

One of the advantages we have living in the technology age is that we have a lot of new and exciting tools to help us achieve our goals. There are many web sites and apps for the smart phone that can help us remember appointments, measure goals and motivate us. There are enough options so find the right app that fits your personal style and works with you in a way that you find most appealing. Some people like to be yelled at and some people like a softer approach. You can even use your smartphone to take pictures of your transformation from day to day or week to week. Whatever your preference, you can use technology to help you stay on track, build a routine, keep a positive mental attitude and even have fun. I hope these fun tips give you some ideas on how to motivate yourself and follow through on those New Year's Resolutions. If not, there's always next year. Toodles.