| Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions this year? If so, how is that working out for you? If the answer is less than positive, it might help to know that you are not the only one and this is backed up by many studies. However, most resolution failures don’t stem from a lack of willpower. They fail because people shouldn’t have started them on 1st January! Just the notion that things will be back to normal by 1st January is highly improbable and you may be starting your new habit on the back of a month of over-indulgence! You are more likely to be successful if you start a little later in the month or even in February once you get back into your routine. For new habits to form and then stick, here are a few simple rules you can try to help you succeed: – Start small & simple – don’t include too many moving parts! One or two things done regularly are much more likely to stick and you can always add on more later when the habit is entrenched – Be consistent and practice your new habit regularly until it becomes second nature (30 days minimum is often recommended by psychologists) – Ask a friend to support you – especially on days when you don’t feel like it – they can remind you of your ‘why’ – Forgive yourself if you slip up, and go again – it will be alright, just keep moving towards the goal of your new, regular habit |