It is not too late to make your resolutions. In fact, I believe you should make resolutions year round, do not just wait for the new year to get you off your butt and make a resolution.
The problem is most people fail in their resolutions. Most people fail in their resolutions because they are too broad and not specific enough. In my last post I listed my current resolutions; however, before listing them I took my very specific resolutions and broadened them.
Do not resolve to lose weight. Yes set a goal to lose a certain number of pounds, but break that goal into a series of smaller very specific resolutions. For example: I will pack my lunch two times a week instead of going out to eat fast food. Then once you consistently meet that resolution create a new one, I will pack my lunch three times a week.
In my eat healthier and exercise more I promised myself to eat a serving of vegetables at lunch 4 times a week. I am actually doing that right now. On the other hand I promised myself to exercise more. This one is not going so well. I am now changing this one to I am going to spend 30 minutes on my bike 2 times a week.
Additionally, do not resolve to do something you cannot definitively control. For example do not resolve that you are going to get married this year, if you do not already have a wedding date sometime this year. Instead resolve to ask your partner to marry you, or try a new dating site, or get out of the house one night a week and meet people.
Tell people your resolutions. Especially people that you see on an ongoing basis and are going to ask you how they are going. Put reminders on your calendar to remind you to go exercise 2 times a week. Write them down in places that they will constantly prod you so you will feel guilty if you do not follow through.
Finally, do not give up if you are not meeting your resolutions. If you resolved to keep your house clean and find that you are still letting your house become a mess, then take a step back and figure out why you are letting your house become a mess. Then create a specific promise on how you are going to resolve the problem. So if you do not have enough time to keep your house clean because you spend 6PM-10PM in front of the TV, create a promise to yourself not to watch TV from 6-6:30 PM.
Well those are the rules that I follow. I am not always successful, but when I started following these rules I have become much more successful. What about you, how do you make sure you follow through on your resolutions?