According to one survey, 88% of New Year’s Resolutions fail.

Phew – glad it’s not just me!

But how can we make resolutions that actually work?

1. Aim for What you Want (not what you don’t)

If you went to the supermarket with a list of things not to buy, you’d come back with a pretty odd selection. And if you’ve ever tried not to think of a purple elephant, you’ll know how hard that is! The brain works much better if you give it an image of what you do want, not what you don’t.

So, if you’re fed up with wasting so much of your life on facebook, ask yourself: “What do I want instead?” Maybe you want more quality time with your partner? To really get into a good book? To start meditating every day? Whatever it is you do want, your resolution will be much more effective if you aim towards that.

2. Specific Action

The road to hell, of course, is paved with good intentions. It’s great to have lofty and inspiring goals. But it’s far more important to know what you’re actually going to do about them. Want to get fit? Will you go the gym Mon, Weds and Fri after work for 4 weeks? Go for a run before breakfast 5 days a week?

When you get specific, you can imagine yourself actually doing it – and that’s half the battle.

3. Desire!

It’s also good to check – do you actually want to take the action? However much you want to be fit, if you can’t bear the thought of lifting those weights, it simply isn’t going to happen. You’ll need to find another way of getting fit – one you actually do want to do.

So, what’s your New Year’s Resolution? If it’s about starting (not stopping), if you know the specific action you’re going to take, and if you want to take it, you’ll be off to a great start.

Next week I’ll write about how to keep your resolution fresh and alive.