How to keep your new year's resolutions

January 5, 2015

11:10 AM

As we embark on a new year, most of us have thought about a resolution or have considered a change that we would like to make in our lives. But the real question is: why so often do those resolutions fail? Maybe it's because they were made on a whim, we lack discipline, or we simply just forget. It seems as though our quest for change many times starts out as a passionate pursuit, but weeks later, the resolution finds itself abandoned and collecting dust.

So what if there was a way to stay inspired, motivated, and focused? I'm convinced that to make any change you cannot ignore what inspires you. It's absolutely vital to keep your goals, or the reasons behind the changes you want to make, at center stage!

A few years ago I started making inspiration/vision boards. A better name for it may be an inspiration space, because it does not need to be confined to board. You can make it on a bulletin board, poster, binder, or even simply with magnets on your refrigerator. The options are endless, but it will be most beneficial if it can be seen and referred to easily.

There are no rules to inspiration boards. Don't feel the pressure for it to be pretty or even organized, although it may be based on your style and personality. The main goal is for it to reflect you and your aspirations. I know this may seem more like an elementary school project, and you could be questioning whether or not it's worth your time to break out the scissors and the glue sticks. I understand completely, but I decided that I'd rather look silly and stay inspired than let another year pass me by, and I cannot even begin to explain how many of the things I've place on my boards over the years have become a reality.

So go ahead and cut out that car you've been wanting to save for, put up that note of encouragement from a friend, the credit card bill you want to eliminate, the picture from your favorite trip, or the workout challenge you want to complete. Essentially, place things on your board that put a spring in your step, a smile on your face, some force in your drive, and add passion to your every day living.

Author of the book “Imagine Big”, Terri Savelle Foy says, that she used to be a "goal-setter but not a goal-getter." I believe setting the goal is just the first step and going after the goal is where the "magic" happens. Use your inspiration board, your vision space, as daily motivation to be a "goal getter" so that you can make 2015 your best year yet!