10 Tips for Tackling Your New Year's Resolutions

As 2010 comes to a close, we all start to think about how we can be happier, healthier, more vital, spend more time with family and friends and make more money. Several years ago, David, my husband and business partner at ArcStone decided to be more conscious about our New Years' resolutions.

The last week of December brings all kinds of lists, the Top 10 songs, books, movies, trends, news stories and now even tweets. It's also the time that people decide to compile their list of personal New Years' resolutions to tackle. Like most people, I never had much luck with my New Years' resolutions until using the following simple tips.

1. Set aside some alone time to think about what goals or resolutions are priorities? Are your resolutions the same year after year? Do you never stick to them? Ask yourself why that is.
2. Choose goals / resolutions that will make you happy.
3. Don't try to take on too much. Stick with a small number of resolutions - five or less.
4. Once you get your list of resolutions compiled, think about what impact they will have on your daily life. Are you being realistic? If not, make adjustments.
5. Create a vision board using photos, pictures, words, phrases anything that will inspire you. I create my vision board using a small poster board (11 x 14). Basically, your vision board will serve as a daily reminder. I like to place my vision board in a prominent spot so I will see it and be reminded of my resolutions every day.
6. Make your resolutions both attainable and challenging. For example, if you want to learn how to play the guitar, set up a quiet practice space, make sure you have a decent instrument, schedule lessons, buy a good lesson book...
7. Share your resolutions. After determining my resolutions, I like to share them with my family and close friends. They can help me stay on track by sharing their insights and lending their support. I usually make this a special occasion by preparing an elegant dinner with candles, good music.
8. Check in with your resolutions often. I like to salamasize my resolutions by creating mini goals. Don't wait until the year is half over to realize that you're not on the right track.
9. Combine your resolutions when you can. For example, if you'd like to spend more time with friends and family and you'd also like to be more fit, figure out a way to combine the two. Play tennis with a good friend, take up cross county skiing with your sister.
10. Keep track of your resolutions and build on them. I like to keep my lists from years past so that I can see where I've been and where I'm going. At the very least, it's fun.

Good luck making and keeping your New Years' resolutions. Happy New Year!