7 Ways To Keep Your New Years Resolution On Track

Common Broken Resolutions

We are now well into the New Year. Like most of us, you probably set yourself a list of new years resolutions on January 1st, after all 2014 “was going to be the best year EVER” and you were going to make sure of it.

Lots of us have had the same New Year’s resolution for as long as we can remember. Losing weight, drinking less alcohol, achieving career goals and spending more time with family tend to top New Year’s resolution lists – but they are also among the most common broken resolutions.

So how has 2014 been so far for you? Are you well on your way to achieving your goals? Or are you;

Skint from the gym membership that cost more than your mortgage this month?
Do you have a stinky fridge from all the fresh produce that’s not been eaten?
Have blisters in part of your body you didn’t know existed until some trainer showed you them on a diagram?
Physically and mentally drained at work, unproductive and an out right grump from the lack of sugar and carbohydrates?

Has it all just become so overwhelming that you just want to throw in the towel?

We all know breaking a New Years resolution is a common thing, but sometimes we get a bit delusional about all. Consider these 8 tips to get you back on track and to try help you gain a little perspective. Taking action on some of the below may simplify what seem like very difficult obstacles in your life at present.

Take stock of all your opportunities. Don’t just throw yourself into the day to day tasks that have always consumed your precious time. You may gloss over great opportunities only visible by taking a step back and evaluating what’s important.
List three obstacles you can reasonably eliminate now rather than later. Many of life’s obstacles aren’t complicated or even difficult to overcome, but they do require focus and commitment. Look back on 2013 and determine who or what got in the way of your success and take action to remove this obstacles, as soon as possible.
Identify two important skills you’ll begin to master. Mastering a challenging skill boosts confidence and creates a sense of accomplishment. Figure out a couple of new skills that will boost your profile and usefulness to those around you. Budget the time in 2014 to ensure you have the necessary hours to make it happen.
Resolve any unfinished personal issues now. If 2014 is going to be amazing you’ll need to drive it forward in a focused manner. Unresolved issues sap energy and create distraction. Take action to resolve any conflicts with people and put your energy elsewhere.
Schedule calendar time in January with those you value the most. There are people in your life who bring you joy. Time with them is precious and sparse. Reach out to them today and get a January lunch on the calendar before year-end. You’ll begin 2014 excited about your schedule and get the year going with a personal boost from those who love and support you the most.
Try to be healthy- within reason. Maintain a strong focus on your health as opposed to just your weight. Start by eating a nutritious breakfast – not on the run. Drink lots of water throughout the day to combat dehydration. Exercise as much as you can to keep your energy levels high, which will in turn keep the momentum going. Put on your running shoes. Just put them on, don’t plan a distance or time beforehand. Just put them on and then see what happens. Take all those veggies and put them into a pan with some olive oil and some herbs and make yourself an hearty soup/stew. It’s winter, it’s cold and it’s much easier to eat warm veggies than a salad.
Finally, and this is my favourite, plan your next holiday. Sounds premature, I know, but everyone knows how much better the world looks when you have a holiday to look forward to. If booking your next break is not possible at the moment, start researching your favourite destinations, so you’re ready to pounce when the time is right.

Joe Robbins

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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