By Alison Greiner, Life Coach

On January 1st you probably committed to some type of self-improvement program, whether it was eating healthy, following an exercise program or quitting smoking. It’s been about three months since then—how are you doing? If you are still sticking to your resolutions, congratulations! If you’ve fallen of the wagon, let us help you get back on and continue moving toward your goals.

There's still time!
It’s time to re-evaluate and recommit to your New Year’s Resolutions. We’re only a quarter of the way through the year and there is still a lot of time to conquer your desires. If you have failed to stick to your goals, don’t get down on yourself. Follow these steps toward commitment and change.

Step 1
Make a list: Make a list of all your New Year’s Resolutions. Put all the goals you set out to accomplish on this list.

Step 2
Dig deep: Now that you have your list of resolutions, it is time to dig deep and evaluate your motivation to achieve each of these goals. Review each goal and ask yourself these questions:

• Why didn’t I achieve this goal?
• What is keeping me from achieving it?
• Why do I want to achieve this goal?
• Is this something I really want to achieve?
• What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve this goal? (Favorite foods, time spent watching television)
• What will it feel like once I achieve this goal?

Your list might look something like this. 

Setting goals that you don’t truly want to achieve is one of the biggest mistakes. Often, people will set a goal to quit smoking or lose weight because they know they should, but it isn’t really something they want to do. If you set a goal for something that you don’t really want to achieve, you set yourself up for failure. You need to have a deep desire to keep you motivated and committed. If you have a goal that you don’t honestly want to achieve, cross it off your list.

Step 3
Baby steps: If your goal is to lose 30 pounds, focusing on the 30 pounds can be overwhelming. Breaking your goal into smaller steps, such as 5 pounds a month, makes the goal more attainable and lets you take it one day at a time.

Step 4
Plan of action: One of my favorite quotes sourced to many successful individuals is, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Whatever venture you set out to achieve in life, whether it is too lose 30 pounds, buy a new house, get a new job or start a business, a plan of action is required to guide the way. Can you imagine trying to build a house without a blueprint? The foundation would be weak and the walls crooked and it would probably fall to pieces after a short period of time. Life is the same—without a map to follow, you are bound to take the wrong turn or walk off the path.

Write down specifically what you want to achieve, how you will achieve it and the date you want it achieved by. Your Truestar Goal Setting Program outlines all the necessary steps required in developing a plan of action.

Step 5
Stick to it: Now that you know what you are working toward, have searched within yourself to be sure this is something you really want to accomplish, have broken it down into baby steps and have created a plan of action, it is time to get going and stick to it.

Commitment is the key to accomplishment. How are you going to stay committed to your goal? Self-motivation is very important, but no one is “up” 100% of the time. Motivation from an external source can boost you up on those days when you’re feeling a little low. Listening to motivational audio and reading motivational books can make the difference between success and failure. A car needs to be maintained and serviced, so does our motivation. What better way to motivate yourself than to listen to educated, motivated speakers from our Top 10 Audio or Top 10 Books? Whatever you select, you will be sure to get the motivation you need.

Tracking your progress is a great way to reinforce your baby steps. Positive reinforcement keeps us motivated and boosts our commitment. The Truestar SPTS Daily Life Improvement Checklist tracks your daily progress. Following daily success habits will naturally keep you positive and motivated to accomplish anything you set out to achieve.

Make a list, dig deep, take baby steps, create a plan of action and stick to it, so when we check back in three months from now you will be well on your way to having a victorious 2004.