New Year Resolutions: How to set your goals for 2012

It's that time of year again and I thought I'd write about the top New Year's Resolutions.

I'm excited about this year and can't wait to achieve my goals and I know you're probably scratching your head about what your resolution should be or maybe you already know. Perhaps my list of top resolutions will help...Top New Years Resolutions

A new year always brings with it new resolutions of people hopeful to change the old. Popular changes that many people would like to make are listed below, in no particular order.

1. Lose Weight - With more than fifty percent American adults and countless others in other countries being overweight, it's no wonder that this resolution appears a lot. Unfortunately there are so many plans out there for losing weight and eating right, that it's difficult to know what works and what doesn't and which plan is best for which individual. Keys to successful weight loss focus on good eating habits, a good exercise program and sticking to targeted goals to reach.

2. Pay Off Debt - A main resolution of many is to pay off credit cards and minor installments loans; i.e. like auto loans, not mortgages. Often a tough job, lack of paying off debt often stems form economic issues, unexpected bills, decreased income, health-related bills and more mounting all year long. Do you best and check into refinancing at lower rates is often advised.

3. Stop Bad Habits - Popular resolutions often involve stopping bad habits like smoking, drinking, gambling, drug abuse, cheating on a mate and being a workaholic. To help overcome these, there are 12-step programs out there for nearly any issue today.

4. Continue Education - Another popular resolution is to return to school to finish high school accreditation, to complete college programs and complete other educational training. And with online technology so advanced today, many are able to jump back into programs with online help round the clock and round the world.

5. Travel - Hitting the road, the sea or the air is another top resolution of many. Travel sites offering helpful online planning, booking and savings grow in popularity as does this resolution made by many.

6. Workout - Both genders make resolutions to get fit in the new years ahead. Whether it's to lift weights or run track or bike or swim, people as a whole seek better fitness. And trying to work in a fitness plan is not always easy with families on the go today.

So trying to squeeze in smaller amount of time blocks might help many. For example, workout for 15 minutes a couple of times each day instead of looking for blocks of an hour where you will be free.

There are more popular New Year's resolutions. Make some of your own and see what you are looking forward to, then make plans to reach your goals. Happy New Year!

Now the problem is actually achieving your resolutions, not setting them. Anyone can set a new years resolution, right?

Exactly.

So make sure you actually set yourself up for success. Write it down and keep it in front of you. Tell others about it and then work on it daily.

In order for resolutions to actually fit into your life and become completed, they first need to become goals. Here are some basic goal-setting guidelines to help you with your resolutions.

Begin by setting up short and long term goals. Then devise a means of accomplishing both and evaluating your progress along the way towards completion. Because once you chart your progress, you will be able to see the different levels or stages needed to accomplish each step towards completing your resolution; i.e. you'll know what exactly you need to do to complete your goal.

Then mark off minor accomplishment rewards along each step of the way. For example, if you are trying to stop smoking, maybe
you'll stop smoking in your car first, then your living room, then your family room, etc. until you finally quit smoking everywhere. So after quitting in each room, take a time out to reward all your hard work. Invite a friend out to lunch.

Redecorate an old smoke filled room with fresh curtains and a nice clean rug. This way your road to resolution success won't seem so long and like drudgery. Plus by enjoying each step of the way, you are actually helping push yourself to your goal completion with powerful, positive giant steps forward.

Tips to help with your goal setting are:

1) Research and Education - Learn all you can about the resolution goals you want to make. Find out exactly what is involved in reaching your goal so that you can set up a step- by-step plan to reach them. For example, to lose weight, maybe you need to schedule an appointment with your local physician first to get a check up, than ask him or her help set you up with a good exercise and diet program. And plan your program accordingly, revising each month as needed.

2) Make your resolution goals manageable. Don't bite off more than you can chew. There's always next year. So tackle what's the most important to you first.

3) Attitude is important in order to accomplish your goals. Sure, everyone has a down time or so and things aren't always perfect. But if you need help with attitude, pick up self-help books at the public library, or read articles on self-improvement in this area, or reach out to your physician if you believe it may be a mental or internal issue.