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Lansing's Advice Column

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Dear IMO,

I'm a person who always sets out to keep the New Year's resolutions which I have made, but a few months into it, I seem to lose steam and just give in. Whether it's loosing weight or saving money, I can't stay on track for very long. Do you have any helpful hints to keep me on the straight and narrow?

Sincerely,
Robert

Dear Robert,

Millions of people make New Year's resolutions. People dream of being leaner, firmer, richer, happier, smarter, healthier, less stressed out, more motivated, less in debt, more well read, less fearful, and just about anything else imaginable. As the clock slowly approaches midnight on New Year's Eve, they raise their glasses of champagne, for some their last glass of alcohol, grab a stuffed mushroom, just one won't hurt, and for the next few days, possibly next few weeks, they are able to keep their resolutions.

There is just one problem, on average, only 40% of those who make New Year's resolutions succeed. Most people are unable to maintain the discipline to stay on track with their resolution since they do not have a plan or strategy to follow during those times of temptation. If you want to be among those who succeed, they you need to 1) be committed, 2) be prepared for setbacks, and 3) chart your progress.

You will need to think about what you want to change and dedicate your time and resources for the long haul. Any commitment requires a real change in behavior and attitude. But change comes slowly, and you will need to develop a realistic plan to assist you in reaching your goals. For example, if you want to save some money for that "rainy day", then you ought to meet with your financial advisor and see what best fits your need. Automatic withdrawal works best, and it's virtually pain-free.

From time to time you might come across some setbacks in achieving your goal. These are not failures just temporary lapses. For example, if you take a drink when you are trying to quit, you might have a plan to call a friend who can lend support and coach you through the tough times. Keep a list on hand at all times reminding you why you want to succeed.

Finally, you will need to track your progress. Positive feedback is a great motivator. If your goal is to lose weight, then pick a day out of the week for weigh-in. Keep a record on graph paper or use your computer, excel works well, to chart your progress over time. Avoid daily monitoring as this type of activity will lead to failure. Whatever goal you have, implement a plan of action, get motivated, and record your progress.

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