How To Make New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep {Printables}

Every year I make New Year’s Resolutions. I have every intention of keeping them and then sometime around mid-January, I fail. It feels awful to make a resolution and then not be able to keep it. I am determined that this year is going to be different. Why? Because my resolutions are different – they come with a plan!
For each resolution (and I am resolving to have only 5!) I am going to have a plan of attack that includes how I can achieve this goal, and why I am trying to. This will serve as a daily reminder and motivate me to continue on despite feeling tired or losing enthusiasm.

I am still working on my resolutions. I really want to think them through and figure out how I can achieve each one of them. Here are some examples of what a resolution might look like.

Lose weight

Instead of simply “lose weight” try this:

Live a healthier lifestyle by…

a. exercising at least three times a week

b. drinking more water

c. being more aware of my activity level on a daily basis

d. being mindful of what I eat

…so that I feel more confident and have more energy.

You can also add in a specific goal to your resolution such as “lose 10 pounds”, “improve blood pressure”, etc. Make sure you define why you are resolving to do this particular thing such as “to feel more confident”, “to be around for my children”, “so I can play with my grandchildren”, or just “to feel better”.

When you start to lose your motivation and enthusiasm (and unless you are super woman this will happen), looking back on why you made these resolutions will help to keep you on track and focused. If you are someone who not only makes personal resolutions, but professional ones as well, then I suggest separating your professional and personal resolutions on to two different printouts. Keep your personal one in your bedroom (maybe on your nightstand) and your professional one on your desk or in your work space. The keys are be specific, be positive, have a plan, and remind yourself why you made this resolution to begin with.

I have created a couple printables that you can fill in on your own. I have a printable for five resolutions, a printable for ten resolutions, and a printable that is blank. Print these out and fill them in. Frame your resolutions and keep it somewhere you can see it on a daily basis. I made them in black and white so they will fit in with any decor and don’t cost you a lot to print out 🙂 You can buy a document frame or an 8×10 frame from the dollar store and you are good to go!

What resolutions are you making this year? Do you make the same resolutions every year (it seems like a lot of mine are the same each year)? How do you keep yourself motivated? I’d love to get your ideas and suggestions 🙂 I need all the help I can get!

Good luck with your New Year’s Resolutions!

Linking up here and Home Stories A2Z.

Comments

Amanda Jones says

January 10, 2012 at 8:24 PM

Very cute! I am posting my resolutions tomorrow – but I love your printable. Thank you so much for linking up!

Amanda
everycreativeendeavor.com

Tonia @ TheGunnySack.com says

January 6, 2012 at 11:20 PM

I have a hard time keeping my New Years resolutions! I do much better when I make a resolution because I need to change something rather than doing it because it is a certain time of the year!

Melanie @ bear rabbit bear says

January 6, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Thanks for sharing! It always helps to make smaller goals instead of one big goal. Thanks for linking to Things I’ve Done Thursday.

Melanie
http://www.bearrabbitbear.com

Six Sisters says

January 5, 2012 at 5:45 PM

Great way to start off the New Year! Thanks so much for linking up to “Strut Your Stuff Saturday.” We would love to have you come back Saturday and share more of your incredible ideas. -The Sisters

Judy says

January 3, 2012 at 6:23 PM

It’s all about a healthier lifestyle…the weight loss will follow. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.

Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

January 3, 2012 at 4:59 PM

Great printable–and good luck on yours too 🙂

Michelle Johnnie says

January 3, 2012 at 10:09 AM

Great printable and good advice. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blgospot.com. GRab my “featured” button.

Carrie says

January 3, 2012 at 5:22 AM

What a great idea! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! Happy New Year!!

Julia says

January 2, 2012 at 12:21 AM

Totally agree on the losing weight one.. my resolutions include “less sugar” and “more swimming”.. trying to focus on the actions this year instead of the results!

Trish - Mom On Timeout says

December 31, 2011 at 8:52 PM

@AudreyN I’m so glad! Happy New Years!

Trish - Mom On Timeout says

December 31, 2011 at 8:52 PM

@Pat Thank you Pat! Happy New Years to you too!

AudreyN says

December 31, 2011 at 5:14 PM

I like the printable! Good luck with your resolutions! Happy 2012

Pat says

December 31, 2011 at 12:06 PM

Happy New Year. I hope yours is full of joy, peace, love and creativity!

Mary Ellen says

December 30, 2011 at 6:20 PM

Stopped making resolutions years ago- I do take the New Year to look back and see the blessing of the past and look for hope in the future year –

Shelley says

December 29, 2011 at 2:43 PM

I like the one about weight loss. 2011’s resolution was to lose weight. At the end of 2011 I have only lost 29 lbs..BUT, that is 29 lbs that I don’t have to carry in 2012. I am also more healthy because I got moving in 2011. Your idea really is a good one.