Keeping our resolutions!

Keeping in the new year's theme (January isn't over yet, I can keep this up for another week!), I thought I'd write about how to be successful in keeping our new year's resolutions! Last week I wrote about what some of Clean Air's resolutions were, so it only seems fitting to make sure we have a plan!

Fortunately, psychologists have done a lot of research on resolutions so we don't have to guess at how to keep our resolve up! So here are a few tips:

1. Make resolutions! It seems like a no-brainer but people who don't think resolutions are worthwhile only have a 4% chance of reaching goals while 46% of those who commit to resolutions reach their goals! And most of the 54% who don't keep their resolutions fall off in the first week. So if you can make it past the first week you have a fighting chance! Hopefully we've all made it past the first 3 weeks of the year.

2. Keep your goals realistic. Maybe instead of shooting for a marathon when you're an inexperienced runner, try for a 10k first. Maybe try to loose and keep off 30 pounds instead of 100. know yourself and push yourself, but don't overdo it. Reaching too far often causes people to become discouraged.

3. Start when YOU are ready, not necessarily at the first of the year! So for those of you who didn't get around to making resolutions January 1, try for February 1! Know what will work best for you.

4. Get support! Support from others is key in keeping yourself motivated and accountable. Ask a friend or relative to call you every so often to remind you of your resolution and keep you accountable. Post your resolution and your progress to Facebook or any other social media site. Those little "likes" can be just the boost you need to keep going!

5. Log your progress. Keeping record of your progress helps you to see how far you've come and makes you be accountable to something, if not someone. It also helps you to see that your goal is in sight! (I really like sticker charts. Some people may like notebooks or online planners)

6. Do one thing at a time. Do NOT make 50 resolutions! It's hard enough keeping one! You will likely get overwhelmed and quit early, accomplishing none of them. You can do two if they are related though, like loosing weight and exercising more. But trying to stick to a diet while quitting smoking may be too much to take on at a time. Tackle things one at a time and really blow your goals away!

7. Reward yourself! you're working hard, reward your progress! But make sure it's a reward within your goal. For example, don't reward yourself with a big piece of cake after sticking to your diet for a week. Maybe go out dancing or get a pedicure instead. Helpful rewards will give you the boost you need to keep going.

I got all of this awesome information from an episode of NPR's Science Friday which can be found here. (CAC's owner, Steve Lopez, and I share a love of science and innovation so anytime I can sneak some cool science in here, I will!)

Good luck with all of your goals and resolutions this year! Comment here or on our Facebook page and tell us what your new year's resolutions are and how you are doing! Maybe Clean Air Cab can be apart of helping you become a new and improved person!