Why Are New Year’s Resolutions So Hard to Keep?

Top headlines for January:

• 6 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick – USA TODAY Network
• 5 Apps That Can Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions on Track – Talking Tech
• 4 Ways to Keep New Year’s Resolutions – CBS News MONEYWATCH

If you are tired of making New Year’s resolutions, why not regroup with a theme for 2014?

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Will Durant’s interpretation of  “These virtues are formed in a man by his doing the actions.” ~ Aristotle

Regardless of which version you prefer, these quotes are great inspiration for 2014.  Instead of making “New Year’s Resolutions” why not have a theme that you embrace for the year.  My theme for 2014 is “Excellence in 2014”.  I’ll share 2 -3 acts per month > that you can implement > that can result in #ExcellenceN2014.  This approach allows you to build habits that will stick beyond the close of the year.

The implementation of 2 – 3 small changes per month can rapidly propel you toward your goals.  Here’s the process:

• Start out with the new changes at the beginning of the month.
• Write them down and post them on your bathroom mirror as a reminder and
• Do the best you can.
• At the end of the month, add 2-3 new changes.

This month, we focus on the frequent New Year’s resolution of getting out of debt. Instead of “I’m going to get out of debt”, why not commit to:

(1) Reviewing the amount of debt you have each month,

(2) Paying additional money per month to your credit cards and

(3) Decreasing the use of your credit cards by leaving the credit cards at home

As you can see, striving for excellence does not mean perfection.  It’s about making small improvements that add up to make a difference.

I invite you to follow this blog and follow along on Twitter at #ExcellenceN2014.  Make the changes as they apply to your life and share other changes you’ve made.