It’s January and, like a majority of people around the world, you’ve probably resolved to change something this year. This year you’re going to lose weight, eat better, read more books...
But what if this year is different? What if this is the year that you not only make New Year’s resolutions, you keep them?
CCP’s crack team of Behavior Change Experts is pleased to offer our simple guide to keeping resolutions, based on field-tested models and extensive experience. Want to make lasting change in your life? Read on!
Step 1: Gather Information
Before you dive headfirst into your resolution, you must engage in some basic research. Define the change you’d like to see. What will you need to do to attain your desired goal? Suppose you, like most people, have resolved to get into shape this year. What are some things you need to know to complete your resolution? Will you need to join a gym? Are there conveniently-located gyms? Should you make a schedule so that you not only purchase a gym membership, but you actually visit the gym regularly? What group classes does the gym offer and when? Do you need new equipment (a resistance band, new workout clothes, a yoga mat)? How much should you work out each week to meet your goal?
Step 2: Motivate
Once you’ve defined your behavior change goal, you need inspiration to make the change happen. Think through, and list out, the benefits you will personally see by making this change to your behavior. If you’ve resolved to get into better shape in 2012, you may think about how exercise will make you healthier, increase your energy, improve your mood and help you sleep.
Step 3: Find Support
It is far easier to change if you have a network of people encouraging you and propping you up when needed. Tell people what you have resolved and accept, and seek out, help. Tell your friends and family that you have resolved to get into shape this year, and identify a work-out buddy. No friends willing to join you on this endeavor? Hire a trainer, or gather support by working out in the company of other people in classes at your local gym. Join an online forum for people with similar goals. Find an app for your smartphone that tracks your progress and posts it to your Facebook or Twitter account.
Step 4: Learn New Skills
You won’t be successful if you aren’t capable of making the change you want to make. In order to change your behavior, you may need to learn new skills. For example, do you know how to use the machines at your gym, or lift weights without injury? Have you ever zumba’ed, kick boxed, aerobicized? Learning how to exercise properly will make you more confident, happier and make it more likely that you will stick to your resolution and adopt the new behavior in the long-term.
On behalf of the Behavior Change Experts at CCP, we hope that 2012 is the year where you keep your resolutions and change your behavior for the better!
