Goals . . . Why they’re elusive—and why they don’t have to be

Before you know it, it will be 2010—a New Year, and more than likely you’ll be trying to start it by keeping the same old resolutions. Lose weight, quit smoking, become more active, get healthy . . . and the list goes on. And what does it take to keep all these resolutions? We’ll get to that. What it doesn’t take is more of what you probably already know, more information you already have, more lectures you’ve already heard or more self-help books just like those you’ve already read.

Problems aren’t necessarily solved just because you have information to solve them with—they are solved when you are motivated and take the actions you already know you need to take. Problems aren’t usually resolved by going for the easiest solution either, but by recognizing that the process probably won’t be easy—and at the same time, that it won’t be impossible.

To make better choices, you can’t be afraid to fail. We all sometimes fail at things we try, and sometimes we fail more than once—or twice. But armed with the right “toolkit” and the realistic expectation of success, we can take steps in a positive direction that will lead to that success. Once you are on that path, the fear of failure begins to fade.

And those initial successes will lead to the realization that those resolutions you make each year can lead to real change. Those “perks” you think you get from a bag of chips, drive-thru meal, plate of donuts or that cigarette (you get the picture) will be replaced by real perks—like more energy, lower cholesterol, less dependence on prescription medications, lost weight, better health (not to mention the power of knowing you have achieved what you set out to achieve).

When this happens—you will find you have not only been successful in keeping those resolutions—you are taking charge of your long-term health and wellness.