Five ways to set a New Year's Resolution that really works for you

Newswise — For many of us, the New Year signifies a fresh start, a new beginning. Nearly one of every two adult Americans makes New Year’s resolutions. The problem is that after six months, less than half of those resolutions are carried through.

However, there are proven strategies that can improve your chances of keeping those goals you’ve made, according to Menninger Clinic psychologist Theresa Fassihi, PhD. Dr. Fassihi is a member of the treatment team for the Eating Disorders Program at Menninger.

Good goal setting happens in five stages and involves:

• Clarifying your values - Set goals that are in keeping with what gives your life the most meaning. This may include a happy family life, friendship, good health, career achievement and spirituality. Are you spending your time in ways that are consistent with your values or are you neglecting important areas of your life?

• Setting priorities - If you think you have been neglecting important areas of your life, set a goal that will give you more balance. If you believe you have been neglecting your friendships, you may set a goal of doing something fun with a friend once a week.

• Setting a challenging, but achievable goal - "If you don't exercise and you set a goal of walking three miles a day, that is unrealistic,” Dr. Fassihi says. “You don't want to set yourself up for disappointment, but you do want to feel a sense of accomplishment. How about starting with 20 to 30 minutes three times a week?”

• Developing an action plan - An action plan outlines the steps you will take to achieve your goal. Make it detailed and concrete, scheduling the days and times you will work on it.

• Building in incentives to keep you motivated - When we have long-range goals, the rewards may be a long time in coming. “Treat yourself each step along the way,” Dr. Fassihi says. “For example, if you are organizing files in your office take a tea or coffee break every hour or two and notice the progress you are making.”

The Menninger Clinic is an international specialty psychiatric center, providing treatment, research and education. Founded in 1925 in Kansas, Menninger relocated to Houston in 2003 and is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital. For 16 consecutive years, Menninger has been named among the leading psychiatric hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of America’s Best Hospitals.