The Newsletter dedicated to Managers and Business Owners

How to set New Year’s resolutions that will stick

This is just a little side note as we go into the new year.

Every year, people that I love set out to make the next year better than the last, but few of those resolutions ever come to fruition.

Crash diets, new financial goals, relationship changes and image changes are just a few of the things we will try to accomplish this year.

But why do some people achieve these feats while the majority of us fall by the wayside within weeks?

Here are a few ideas

1. It takes 30 days to make something a habit.

According to Tony Schwartz, author of “The Power of Full Engagement”, the best way to form a habit is to develop a ritual.

Once you have practiced the ritual for 30 days it will become a habit and have a greater chance of becoming a subconscious action (or one you won’t have to think about).

2. Make resolutions with your subconscious mind.

Breathing and walking are something we do naturally and without thinking about it.

They have become functions of our subconscious mind over the years.

Doctors now say that our conscious mind is only about 5% of the full power of our brain and it is not reliable for “in the moment” decisions.

On the other hand, our subconscious mind is 95% of the power of our brain and it has an uncanny power to put us on autopilot.

Deciding whether or not to eat a cupcake, in your conscious mind, is a sure-fire way to lose.

But if you decide that you want to change your lifestyle for good, and you build rituals that will change your life, your subconscious will prevail.

3. My personal experience of having a new ritual.

Back in May I married the woman of my dreams. I mean it, my wife is an angel.

With happiness came a few friends called, “L-B’s” or pounds.

After reading Tony’s book, I decided to try out this whole ritual thing.

At 6am, I woke up and started studying for an hour and a half (one of my goals was to practice getting wealthy).

I then did a short workout, had a healthy meal, and then jumped in the shower. (If you eat well in the first meal of the day, it sets the tone. I know it’s weird, but it works)

While at work I focused my attention in hour and a half blocks of time and ate small meals in between.

To make a long story short, I promised myself I would try this for 30 days.

In 6 weeks, I lost 18 lbs and I am getting triple the work done.

I say that to say this, get Tony’s book and start your own personal rituals!

I want the best for you and I would hate to see more of my friends fall victim to the dreaded resolution:)

I hope this year will be your best yet.

With Some New Year’s Love…