The year 2007 has come and gone and now we are in a new year. Like everyone else students often make New Year resolutions, most of which are often not kept. For the year 2008, it would be useful to do things a little differently. The following are useful tips on how to keep those New Year resolutions in order to see some improvements in the year 2008.

(1) Be realistic in your expectation: Most of the problems with keeping New Year resolutions are often evident from the start. The key problem is that a majority of people (including students) are not realistic while drawing up the long list of achievements for the New Year. Very often it seems as if the list are being drawn up for a superman/woman or for someone who has acquired new powers. It is very unlikely that you will kick smoking, loose 20lbs, double your income and find true love in the first two months of the year. It is good to hope in various changes to our lives in any new year but the more realistic people are with their aims the easier it is to achieve those aims vice versa.

(2) Set Goals in small/Incremental stages: Much success are often achieved by setting and achieving small goals on a regular intervals. The intervals can be weekly, monthly or quarterly. For example instead of trying to do the impossible/ making all the new changes in one month, Try and make a change say each month or so. Decide for example to quit smoking only within a certain period, then in the following months try achieving another separate aim. Always start with the easiest target/objective which you can easily accomplish. The boost in confidence from the previous success will be useful in meeting the remaining targets.

(3) Monitor your progress: There is no point in setting long list of goals and targets without any form of monitoring or progress check. I have heard and seen very often that students (and people in general) very often (with all intentions) decide to improve their lives or kick a habit in the New Year. However these goals and aims are quickly forgotten even before the end of January. Try and monitor your progress on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis using for examples charts to record the progress and the objectives that have been made.

(4) Be consistent: One of the primary keys to keeping the New Year resolutions is to be consistent. Try and stick to what ever game plan you have chosen. If for example you need the help of an adviser/counselor ensure that you attend the arranged sessions regularly.

(5) Keep Focused: Very often you might not be able to accomplish an objective the first time. As the saying goes “if at first you don’t succeed, try again”. Do not be put off by minor or major failures. There is always a lesson to learn at every stage even when one fails. Keeping a positive attitude will always ensure that you meet most if not all your target for the New Year.

Source by Kevin C.U.