Before quickly going to the drawing board and start listing next year’s resolution, let us take a step back. Review your last year’s resolutions. How many did you have, how many out of those resolutions you kept until the end of the year and was the end result.

Resolutions are not a wish list but rather promises you make to either yourself or to others and you should keep. The reasoning behind resolutions it’s the sense of commitment, otherwise there is no need to even establish them in the first place. Maybe sometimes we think it is not a big deal because most of those promises we make, are to ourselves and those we love; like exercising, eating healthy, spending more time with your family etc. You see a promise is like a vow and we need to take it seriously. I would like to help you reflect on this end year as you take time to make yet other resolutions. Even resolutions towards oneself should be taken seriously as they say a lot about us. God warns us of making vows or promises hastily and not keeping them. Ecclesiastes 5:4 Better to not vow than to vow and not to pay.

Here are 3 tips according to me that will help you make meaningful resolutions that you can keep.
1. Realistic
Make sure your resolutions are realistic as this will help you stay motivated and able to
attain them. Ex: If you are high in debt, it wouldn’t be realistic to say that you want to be
debt free by the end of the year. However it may be more realistic, to want to close one of
your credit cards by year end.
2. Measurable
Your resolutions have to be measurable. One way to do this is dividing your year either monthly quarterly or bi-yearly. Like in the financial world, this not only helps you
measure and evaluate your progress but also make adjustments as you go along. Time
flies and if we don’t have pit stops along the way to check if we’re on track we’ll soon be
at year end with nothing accomplished.
3. Short and sweet
When making resolutions, no need to make a long list; chances are you might not
remember them all. Make it short. Personally, I find a maximum of three resolutions is
more than enough. You can easily remember them and stick them in places where you
can see them everyday. You need also to find enjoyment in your resolutions. Let’s face it,
if you hate something you will not stick to it. Some of the resolutions may not have
enjoyment in them, but we cab find ways to make them fun. Ex: If losing weight is your
resolution, you can have for every 5lbs lost you reward yourself with some self care such
as massage, spa or even shopping. The reward then becomes your enjoyment.

Whatever your resolutions are going to be next year, make sure they are tailored to your lifestyle and situations and stick to them as you are worth. Have a blessed New Year filled with wisdom, health and peace.