We have some tips that will help you achieve your goals in 2017 and avoid falling by the wayside

Who hasn’t made a list of New Year’s resolutions and then given up at the first obstacle? Common promises we make in December are to get more exercise, eat a healthier diet or give up smoking but, paradoxically, they are the ones that most people fail to achieve. It’s not easy so you have to be realistic, honest with yourself and take things one step at a time.

On this subject, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has a set of recommendations that may help you achieve keep your resolutions during the next year without giving up ahead of time.

 Five keys to achieving your goals in 2017

 Before you begin, be sure you want to make changes in your life. Visualise the things you would like to achieve, but don’t setting yourself too many objectives (one or two should suffice) so that you can focus your energy and strength.

Don’t delay: psychiatrists say that action precedes motivation. There’s no need to be completely motivated and energetic to start doing exercise. Anything you do to take you toward your goal, however small, will help you get there.

1. If you fail, try again: It doesn’t matter if you miss a day at the gym or eat a bowl of popcorn at the cinema. Learn from your mistakes and try, try again.
2. Avoid drastic measures: ‘never again’ type decisions just make things more difficult. Be realistic and rather than swearing ‘’never to ‘sin’ again, try to do so less often. Set yourself reasonable limits or you’re bound to give up.
3. Share your goals: If you confide your goals for the year in another person, it will help you to stick to them. Your confident will be able to support you when you feel weak and if he or she is facing the same challenges, you can help and encourage each other.
4. Step by step: make sure your goal is not overambitious, or it’ll be over before it has begun. For example, if you want to stop smoking, set yourself the goal of visiting a health professional or, if you want to get exercise, start doing it twice a week. Once you start noticing the results, you can set yourself harder goals.

Reward yourself for your achievements, with a massage, a trip away or a gift that won’t affect your progress. This will give you confidence that you can do what you have set out to and motivate you to keep going.

 Remember, these tips are intended to make things easier for you, not more difficult. You know you can achieve your goals and lead a better life.

This post is also available in: Italian