Essentials

It's time to brush off the confetti, put down the noisemakers and get serious about your plans for 2004. A new year is here, and to many, that means making New Year's resolutions. A problem with resolutions is many blindly are embarked upon and disappear with Cupid by February. You have to wonder, how can you run a successful, profitable business but can't commit to stopping smoking, eating less, exercising more or spending more time with your family?

Sticking to a New Year's resolution isn't difficult if you are committed and take the proper steps. So put down the cookie, snuff out your cigarette and pay attention—your resolution for this year could become a life-altering event.

Make it count

According to Inc. magazine, part of the problem with keeping resolutions is delayed gratification. In our culture of fast food, ATMs and diet pills, we want things now and with little effort and can get discouraged when we don't easily get them. But most resolutions take time and energy to accomplish. To avoid discouragement, don't make too many resolutions. It's best to focus on one goal—though you can select more—and pick a resolution that is important to you. Don't say you'll spend more time with your family just because your spouse is nagging you.

It also is important not to take a giant leap to complete your resolution. You should think of a resolution as part of your daily life instead of a fleeting moment. To make this happen, break down your goal into small, manageable steps and establish a logical time line to accomplish each step. Gradually introducing new behavior will make changes to your lifestyle more tolerable.

It also can help to tell people about your resolution and the steps you are taking. Telling people will make your resolution a reality instead of a good intention, and they can support and guide you. But only tell people you know will support you. A smart-aleck friend who constantly makes jokes about your weight may drive you back to the potato-chip bag, but a supportive friend can help you reach your goal.

Telling supportive people also may help you get creative; friends may know more exciting, realistic ways to accomplish your goal. You also should be creative on your own. If you decide to make two resolutions, try to combine them so you don't feel overwhelmed. Family bike rides are a great way to exercise and spend time with your family.

Another way to avoid becoming overwhelmed and discouraged is to make creative reminders. It may seem cheesy, but placing encouraging sayings on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror may help you stay focused and relaxed. At the very least, signs serve as a reminder of your resolution and commitment to achieving it. If you need to hear encouraging voices to stick to your goal but can't call your spouse every time you feel weak, ask your supportive family members or friends to leave encouraging voice-mail messages. You also can buy key chains or pens that have recording devices so an encouraging message only is a button push away. Staying positive is a major component of success.

After all, your mom wasn't right when she said negative thinking won't get you anywhere. It will get you somewhere—far away from your goal. To complete your resolution, you must stay positive, visualize your success and stay focused on the goal. Let your imagination see yourself pounds lighter, not smoking or at your child's school function.

There obviously will be days you "cheat" on your resolution. You should anticipate roadblocks and make plans to cope with obstacles. You also should re-examine your steps to make sure your resolution hasn't morphed into a punishment. Just because you want to lose weight doesn't mean you never can let a chocolate chip cross your lips again. Keep life fun, interesting and full of excitement.

New start

If we all lived the idealistic life of which we dream, we wouldn't need resolutions; you can quit smoking in April just as easily as you can in January. But there is something refreshing about a new year that makes resolutions appealing. To many, a new year symbolizes more than buying a new calendar. It means having a new beginning and another chance to get things right.

Kate Gawlik is associate editor of Professional Roofing magazine.