Happy New Year!

This time of year many people are looking for encouragement to make and keep New Year’s resolutions. How do you feel about it? Discouraged? Excited? Been there, done that, no thank you?

New Year’s resolutions can be a source of disappointment or the start of a goal accomplished. What determines the outcome?

Here’s my two bits on how to make New Year’s resolutions work for you. Three steps will get you there.

1) It helps to not only know the WHAT of our resolution, but the HOW of it. &uot;I’m going to lose weight&uot; is a wish, not a powerful resolution. We must have some clarity about how we’re going to do it.

Knowing the how means making a plan.

If your goal is to drop 10 pounds, maybe you will decide to lift weights two days a week. Or, walk on your lunch break five days a week. Or, eat single portions only. Or, say no to an unhealthy snack once a day.

The plan has to be your plan, not someone else’s &045; something that is practical for you.

2) We can up the ante by knowing the WHY of our resolution. We must find sufficient motivation to reach our goal.

You want to eat healthy so you can live long enough to see your grandchildren get married.

You want to get yourself out of debt so you can sleep through the night without worry. You want to stop smoking so you can play ball with your children.

Whatever it is, it must be a motivation that moves you. Again, not someone else’s idea, but one that grabs you by the heart. Get help from someone if you get stuck here. Having this one handled will pull you through the times you are tempted to abandon your resolution.

3) It’s important to set up ACCOUNTABILITY.

How will we make sure we get the job done?

Accountability holds us to our commitment, which guarantees our success.

Ask a friend to call you once a week to check in to make sure you’re following through. Write a large check to an organization you despise, such as the American Nazi Party or the KKK. Give it to a friend and ask him/her to commit to sending the check if you don’t do what you say.

There are dozens of ways to set up accountability. Be creative. It is a crucial part of a successful resolution.

Set up a reward for yourself, like going out to eat with a friend, or taking a trip to do or see something you’ve always wanted. How about getting a massage? Giving yourself permission to paint a room? Purchase a hammock?

Here are a few more fine-tuning points:

Be as specific with your goal as possible. Having a number in your resolution helps with this. The more specific you are, the easier it is for the brain to know what it’s supposed to do.

&uot;Attain a weight of 120 pounds by February 28&uot; is much better than &uot;I’m going to lose weight.&uot;

Visualize yourself having achieved the resolution, as your brain will work to create what it sees. Feel yourself there. The higher the emotional charge accompanying your image, the faster and easier you manifest.

Lastly, celebrate your victory. It will help you feel really good about what you’ve done and make it more exciting for you at this time next year.

There it is. Know the how, why, and accountability of your resolution. Be specific, visualize and celebrate your accomplishment.

Here’s to your success.

Have fun.

(David A. Larson, M.S., C.P.C.C., licensed psychologist and life coach, may be reached at the Institute For Wellness, 373-7913, or at his Web site, www.callthecoach.com.)