If you have some resolutions for the a new part of your life or if you set some goals for yourself or your business, here are some ways to keep yourself on track and focused.

1. Less is more. Have 3 or 4 resolutions at the most. Any more than this will make them hard to focus on. If the resolutions you have can be achieved in less than a year, create others once you have accomplished these.

2. Visualize success. Know what accomplishing your resolution(s) will do for you. Day dream about it. How does it look and feel? Reaching your dream only happens if you are motivated enough to stick with it. If you don’t keep thinking about how much you want it and how good you will feel once you either accomplish it or make it a habit (or get rid of a habit!), you will lose interest.

3. Write them down. Here is another way to stay focused on your resolutions. There is something more permanent about the written page than just having it in your head. Sometimes just the act of writing it down is enough to keep you on track and focused.

4. Tell someone. Have a friend, a mentor, or a coach hold you accountable. Once you tell someone else it is just downright embarrassing to admit you didn’t stick with it. Sometimes we know that is the only way we’ll get it done. Some people are motivated completely by the positive aspect of getting it done and others need the fear of the consequences of not accomplishing it. Both can help you.

5. Post them. Put a copy of your resolution(s) where you see it/them frequently. Just seeing the list will continually remind you of what you are trying to do. Where can you put the list so you see it continually? How about the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator door?!

6. Read them. Say them out loud at least once a day. Make a little ritual of this. Do it at the same time every day. This would be a good time to visualize your success too (2). The more you think about your resolutions the more in focus they become.

7. Take action. Ask yourself at the beginning of the day what one action can you take today to keep you making progress on your resolution(s)? Moving forward one step at a time is what you are after.

8. Hire an expert. An expert can help you to overcome blocks, improve the way you are approaching the tasks or just boost your spirits. Depending on your resolution an expert might be a coach, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, or an organizer.

9. Use affirmations. Create a positive statement that you can use when the voice in your head tells you that you are not going to achieve whatever you are striving for. When you become aware that the voice is telling you can’t do it, substitute your affirmation.

10. Reward yourself. Give yourself something special when you cross a milestone or survive a particularly difficult period in your journey to achieving your resolution. Celebrate successes along the way and feel good about what you have done.

by John Torquato

During some time of my life I didn’t like buying myself gifts, as I thought it would be selfish and that I could use the money in other ways. A lot of people think the way I used to, and I don’t say they’re wrong because each and every person is unique.

Time passed and I have changed. As my life goes on, I see my achievements and my goals and I think there’s nothing wrong on being rewarded for it. I don’t expect any friend, family member or boss congratulating me for what I’ve done, I do it myself.

It is obvious that we treat well everybody we love, sometime buying gifts — and it shouldn’t be different with ourselves. But sometimes we feel a little guilty by spending for us while we could be paying a mortgage, a loan, buying groceries or even donating the money. It is true, but we also need recognition from ourselves. Thus, I’ve developed a new habit that helped me save money to buy myself a gift without going broke or spending money I should need.

First, I’ve setted a day and month to buy myself a gift and started planning one year ahead. Everyday when I got home, I checked my wallet for $1 bills.  If I had more than one bill, I’ll simply put one bill in a jar and didn’t use it for what so ever. Never!

After one year I’ve checked the jar, and there was $284 for me to spend anyway I wanted: I could buy a Blue Ray player, a video game, some fancy clothes or whatever I’d could. When purchasing my gift, I kept in mind all my achievements thru the year and that it was a gift to me, a reward. Every time I saw or used whatever I bought, I had great memories about myself. And I just kept doing it year after year.

I gave this advice for a friend of mine and he said he was on a tight budget, so I told him to save $1 per week. Not using $1 per week won’t be tight, but after one year you’ll have saved $52, what is enough to buy a CD, DVD or Blue Ray, a book, a new pair of shoes and many other things. He tried, and guess what, it worked wonderfully! After he came back from the mall he called me and I was so happy for his excitement, so I learned that sharing good things with other people should be great for us too.

Try it — I’m sure it will work with you too. After one year, don’t forget to come and tell me your results!