We hear a lot of advice this time of year about how to set and keep goals – but new research points at some new solutions for creating New Year’s resolutions that actually stick.
Al Switzler, co-author of the New York Times best-selling book “Change Anything” reveals his six source secret.
The 6 Source Secret Behind Creating New Year’s Resolutions that Actually Stick
By Al Switzler, co-author of the New York Times best-seller Change Anything
1. Change your impulses: Change the way you think about what you currently consider to be unpleasant behaviors. Create a Personal Motivation Statement on a 3×5 card that connects to your values, and read the card when you feel tempted to quit.
2. Overcome ignorance: Learn the skills you need to make and keep new habits. For example, when facing temptation our research shows people who learn a couple of simple skills are 50% better at resisting their urges.
3. Turn accomplices into friends: Don’t underestimate the power of your peers. For example, Harvard sociologist Nicholas Christakis discovered that obesity is partly infectious. Having obese friends increases your chances of following suit by a whopping 75%.
4. Get a coach or mentor: Coaches are crucial to behavior change success. People with a half dozen active friends who play the role of coach or mentor are almost 40% more likely to succeed than those with less than a half dozen friends.
5. Reward small successes: Give yourself a small reward for reaching short-term goals. For example, research shows recovering cocaine addicts are 23% more successful at adhering to a medical regiment when given a small gift certificate for every week they pass a drug test.
6. Restructure your environment: Change your environment. For example, Brian Wansink from Cornell University found that people eat 92% of whatever is on their plate—regardless of how big it is. The difference between 12-inch and 9-inch plates totals 33% more calories!
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