It’s easy to get derailed with the winter holidays coming one right after another. When we get past New Year’s Eve, it’s 
time to take a breather and get back to normal life! The long haul between now and spring gives us plenty of time to look back on what we did (or didn’t do) and to look forward with renewed commitment to what we should do. If you want to make a resolution that really works because it’s easier to implement, do these things:
Be very specific. Don’t say you’re going to lose weight and save money. Say you’re going to lose 10 pounds and put $1,000 in a savings account.
Give yourself a deadline. Do you want to take all year to lose 10 pounds? Then write down that you will have done it by December 2012. Is there some reason you’d like to have $1,000 by summertime? Give yourself a goal of saving it by June 1.
Create your plan. Nothing happens on its own. You actually have to DO something to make your goals. Decide where the money is coming from, how to eat less and/or exercise more. Write it down. Get creative.
Have fun with it. Don’t limit yourself to common advice. Instead, let your imagination flow and find ways to meet your goals YOUR way.
Tell others your goals. If other people are watching, it gives you an incentive to work toward your goals. You don’t want to embarrass yourself by having other people think you’re lazy or unfocused!
Make allowances for “unforeseen circumstances.” You can’t know that the transmission is going out of your car or that you’re going to be invited to seven wedding receptions within the next few months, so don’t overdo your planning to the point that you can’t readjust. A few calories more at each reception is just a challenge to cut calories elsewhere. And car trouble is a challenge to find other transportation or creative ways to pay for a new transmission!
Getting back on track can be enjoyable because it defines things once again, after the holiday relaxation. Ready? Get set… all of 2012 is waiting ahead of you!
