Making NY resolutions stick

Well January 1 has passed and you have made your  New Year's resolutions. If you want to be in the top 8% of people who actually keep to use resolutions then here are three things that you can do.

1. Go small!

It's the small changes that make a difference. For example if you would like to get fit the most important   decision to make every morning is "do I put on my flip-flops or tennis shoes". Putting on tennis shoes will make it more likely that you will exercise

2. Change your rewards

It’s not so much that rewards help you maintain your goal but the timing of your rewards. Psychology research shows that when rewards are received on an intermittent (unpredictable) basis – we are more likely to continue with that behavior. Rewards are also more effective than punishment, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t meet your goals.

3. Believe!

Self-efficacy, the belief that you can accomplish your goal, is a major factor in achieving your resolutions. In my own research at UNF, I found that the positive emotions we experience from doing an activity will fuel our self-efficacy. So if you are having a hard time convincing yourself that you can stick to your goal, take a moment and think about how good that activity makes you feel.