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An Easy Way to Make Your New Year’s Resolution Stick

By Ron Pereira Published on December 15th, 2011

Action is the foundational key to all success.
-Pablo Picasso

As 2011 comes to an end and we look forward to 2012… many of us will make new year’s resolutions.

Some will commit to working out, some will commit to getting organized, and some will commit to, well, lots of things.

The Sad Truth

New years resolutions are great. We all make them. At least most of us do. But, sadly, the truth is most people fail to stick to them. As such, by January 28th all of the passion and excitement is gone and everything is back to the way it was.

That’s the bad news. But don’t despair as I come with hope!

A Solution is Within our Grasp

You see, I’m confident I have a countermeasure that anyone can use to battle this issue. Want to know what it is? It’s really quite simple.

Start now. Today. Don’t wait until January 2012.

Take Action Now

If you hate the way you look and feel don’t wait until January 4th to join the gym. Join today on your lunch break and get a workout in.

If you plan to set up a family budget stop delaying. Download Mint (it’s free) and start tonight.

If you plan to stop smoking or some other bad habit don’t set a stop date. Stop now.

If you plan to learn some new skill in 2012 don’t wait. There’s no reason to put it off. Sign up with Lynda or our favorite lean thinking training company and let the learning begin minutes from now.

Momentum Leads to Sustainability

By taking action now you’ll have momentum once the new year begins. And with momentum comes success. And with success comes sustainability.

What do you think? Am I crazy? If so, are you willing to prove me wrong?


  1. Trey Adams

    December 15, 2011 - 12:55 pm
    Reply

    Love it and am definitely going to give this a try! Have some big plans for ’12 and see no good reason to wait.

    • Ron Pereira

      December 15, 2011 - 2:34 pm

      Glad you liked this, Trey. The very best of luck to you now and in 2012!

  2. Beth Simpson

    December 16, 2011 - 10:39 am
    Reply

    I think the reason this may work is that it takes the emphasis off of it actually being a “resolution.”

    Resolutions comes with a lot of hype and emotion which is why they usually fail. Hype and emotion only last so long.

    So by simply taking action like the author recommends there is no hype. It’s just you and the objective or goal.

  3. James Lawther

    December 17, 2011 - 7:21 am
    Reply

    Ron, one of my favourite quotes is by Zig Ziglar

    “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude”

    It strikes me that putting off till tomorrow what could be done today is a bad attitude

    I enjoyed the post

    James

  4. Adi Gaskell

    December 23, 2011 - 6:05 am
    Reply

    Amazingly something like 45% of resolutions have failed by the end of January. I did some research into this for a presentation a year ago and used the following strategy that may be of interest.

    1. Focus on one thing
    2. Create lots of small goals
    3. Reward yourself when you achieve them
    4. Tell others what your goals are
    5. Remind yourself of the benefits
    6. Chart your progress

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