It is said that "anything will at least work once", but what happens after that? And why do so many of our New Year's resolutions fail, almost as soon as we declare them?

No matter what is on your list, whether you plan to lose weight, stop being bad-tempered to your children, stop lying to people, stop reacting to your mother's dramas, cycle to work, or stop smoking, the important question remains: how do we get New Year's resolutions to work?

Steps for success:

·         Change the title

Call it a list of Life Improvements, because that is what you are trying to achieve.

The term 'New Year Resolutions' may have negative connotations by putting pressure on yourself, and implying failure if you slip and do not accomplish them in a year. Life Changes are still an achievement whenever you finish them. 

·         Be realistic

Choose only two or three resolutions, from that list. Habits that took many years to build are unlikely to change in few days or months. You are more likely to focus your energy and achieve success on few rather than many changes.

·         Find your trigger

Any new behaviour can be easier to establish, if you define your reward for achieving that change- your inner motivation. Keep that in sight, and dangle it in front of you at every opportunity.

·         Be 'hopefully devoted'

You harvest what you plant, if you look after your young seeds/plants and nurture them. This is the way of nature.

The important thing is to commit yourself to change on a daily basis.  Small steps will take you a long way. I think it is a Chinese saying that a journey of a hundred miles starts with one small step.

If you slip one day, do not fall prey to being a victim of failure. Rather have hope that tomorrow is a new day which creates new opportunities for you.  Running out of time, is not running out of life! 

·        Finally, don't wait for the next New Year to make a fresh start. Once your (two or?) three goals are achieved, work on the next three. And so on.

You can commit to life changes at any time.

Sleep On It!

Prediction Magazine would love to hear from you if you have used any of the DIY tools mentioned in this and future articles. Overseas readers, get PREDICTION MAGAZINE sent straight to your computer! To receive the online edition of Prediction, click here