It’s time to start making good habits this new year. Dr. Karyn Gordon shares with us five habits you should begin doing to start achieving your goals. Here is what you need to do:

Habit #1: Write It Down

• Despite the fact that many people think of setting goals, shockingly only 1/10,000 people actually write it down!
• The key is you need one place to keep your goals top of mind (Ex. phone / computer / journal) – somewhere where you are consistently looking at your goals will really keep you on target
• Keep this document close at hand, looking at it regularly, and score yourself by the end of the year

Habit #2: Measure It

• A goal (Ex. “to be more organized”) without a number attached is simply an idea and your brain won’t know what to do and therefore likely to do nothing!
• Creating new habits takes energy, time, focus so you want to make this as EASY on your brain as possible. Telling your brain what you are going to do, when, how – helps you make better decisions in the moment!
• It’s extremely important to measure ALL of your goals (Ex. On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate yourself, for the month? Year?)

Habit #3: Start REALLY SMALL & With Only 1 GOAL!

• Start off by setting your goal SUPER EASY (Ex. if you haven’t exercised at ALL, focus on just walking for 15 minutes x 3 /week). Focus on that EASY goal for 3 weeks, until it is on autopilot for you, then stretch the goal.
• Focusing on SMALL, INCREMENTAL steps builds confidence, momentum and will energize you to set your next one!
• Only when you have mastered 1 goal, move to your next!

Habit #4: Create a Rhythm To Your Goal

• Habits mean that it is on auto-pilot for you (your brain doesn’t have to think about it) so one trick to do “Habit Training” is to do the same behavior, in the same way, at the same time everyday! After three weeks it will be a habit (Ex. Calling your mom while driving home; Exercising Mon. / Wed. / Friday before work)

Habit #5: Kick Off Your New Habit With 1 NEW THING

• To help you kick off your new habit, do one thing that energizes / excites you about your new habit (Ex. getting one great work-out outfit; buying a crock pot for fabulous dinners).

• Keep New Year’s Resolutions with Realistic Goals
• 3 Ways You Can Meet Money and Fitness Goals
• Gratitude Is Part of Achieving Your Goals and Dreams