Keep Your New Year's Resolution vs. Revolution

A revolution means rising up against something to make a change. A resolution is the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict or problem. Why not try a little of both this year? Sometimes we lose the motivation of commitment to generate change in our lives. The trick is to learn to keep your promises. A rewarding motive will make your resolution all the more purposeful.

In no particular order, the top resolutions tend to be dieting, quitting smoking or drinking, improving education or career status, managing stress, increasing savings, taking a trip, trying something new, and/or volunteering. They're not spontaneous lifestyles. They take research and practice. You have to look up methods that will bring you the best success for your particular resolution. Just because it works for one person doesn't mean it'll work for you. Examine means of accomplishing your goal and be enthusiastic about a motive that makes your resolution matter. That's the revolution part of things.

To achieve what you want, clearly document your goal along with a well-investigated way to get there. Writing on paper over typing notes on your laptop increases the chances of remembering the information, according to a study published in the journal Psychological Science, and could in turn help you to keep your resolution promise. Modality is a part of psychology that has to do with memory and learning, particularly how the presentation of information affects performance. Your brain encodes, stores, and recalls information. The more deeply you mentally invest in something, the more likely you are to accurately encode memory for future retrieval. Don't be shy to map out each day with specific instructions to get one step closer to living a healthier life.

Look for resources that help you achieve your revolution but start with your inner talk. Envision your success. Dorothea Brande, an American writer and editor known for her wellness books, once said: "Envisioning the end is enough to put the means in motion." Avoid shutting down when you should be building perseverance and using that energy to plot your success in 2015.