Make Resolutions That (Really) Work

2010 is skidding around the corner and you're full of enthusiasm for becoming fitter, stronger and happier. To prevent you losing steam in the first two weeks of January, Prevention's mind experts, Professor Tim Sharp and Gordon Spence, PhD, show you three ways to make change last.

1. Know exactly what you want to change

"The biggest obstacle to making change stick is not being crystal clear about what you want," says Sharp, director of The Happiness Institute. "And too many people focus on what they don't want, rather than on what they do want." Your odds of success skyrocket when you focus on the latter, he adds.

2. Map it out

It's hard to reach a destination if you don't know where it is or how you're going to get there! Once you flesh out how you'd like your ideal year to roll out, start brainstorming how you'll get there—but be sure to make your plan realistic.

Planning helps you move from a place of This is something I'd like to do to This is something I'm going to do and this is how I can get the support to do it, says Spence, a psychology lecturer at The University of Sydney.

3. Get talking

"Discussing your resolutions with someone else is the most important thing you can do," says Spence. He cites a personal example: "The time I take to train for a marathon impacts my wife, so I need to negotiate that with her. I realise I don't have a hope in hell unless Anita's involved. I have to share my plan and why it's important to me."

Talking about your plans also makes it easier to spot the holes in your ideas—and two heads are better than one when it comes to mending them.

"People who share their goals with others—especially friendly, positive, supportive others—are significantly more likely to achieve their goals," adds Sharp.

PLUS Find Your Strengths

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Pick up the January issue of Prevention--on sale now--for more ways to make change that lasts