The New Year's Resolution: Made by many, kept by few. Although New Year's Day is a natural time to set goals, many people find that it is far easier to make a resolution than to follow through on it. Fortunately, there is a method to making a successful resolution. This method involves two strategies.

Imagine that you wanted to build a new road. First, you would make sure that you were pointing in the right direction, and then you would remove the obstacles in your path. You will use the same process for crafting your New Year's resolutions.

Creating effective goals is a skill. The right goal will make sure that you are "pointing in the right direction". While you are still riding the wave of optimism of the new year and coming up with goals, keep these basics in mind:

1) Eliminate "should". If you start a goal with "I should" you are setting yourself up to fail. Let's be honest; we are far more likely to do what we want to do. Therefore, focus on the benefit that you want, rather than what you need to do to get it. Compare "I should lose weight" with "My goal is to have more energy to play with my children on the weekend". Which feels better? Which would inspire you to action?

2) Create step goals. Most New Year's resolutions are sweeping goals that are way too big and general. Big, general goals overwhelm us because it is difficult to see how we can achieve them starting from where we are. Therefore, break each goal into small manageable pieces and take one step at a time.

3) Take action! The best advice I was ever given is this: Once your goals are set, do one thing each day (no matter how small) to bring you closer to each goal. Remember that it is what we do every day, not what we do once in a while, that determines our progress in life.

4) Check in regularly. Take time to look back over your goals at regular intervals throughout the year. This is crucial! Your goals won't inspire you if they are sitting forgotten in a drawer. One more thing - when you realize that you have made progress, celebrate and reward yourself.

Effective goal setting will point you in the right direction, but even with this strategy your New Year's resolutions may still fizzle out. There may be some obstacles blocking your path. You may blame the usual suspects (such as lack of money or lack of time), but the real obstacle is something inside of you. Although we are all motivated to make life-changing resolutions, most people find that it is exceptionally easy to fall right back into their old routines - usually by February. Why?

According to homeopathic philosophy, it is because we are stuck. Each of us is caught in certain habits because we have a very deep-seated pattern of stress in our bodies. One of my patients described this as "the tapes that kept running in her head, playing the soundtrack of her life". There is an inner story that we are telling ourselves every day, and it causes us stress and discomfort. It keeps us stuck in a certain way of being.

How does somebody get un-stuck? The best way I've found for doing this is homeopathy. Homeopathy can gently and effectively treat this underlying pattern of stress, relieving your discomfort and allowing you to make new choices. Working with a homeopath could give you just the boost you need so that this year is different.

In 365 days, 2009 will be over and you'll be a year older. Is your life currently all that you want it to be? Or is this the year to make a change? Working with someone can help. I invite you to come in for an appointment. Together we can work toward making your New Year's resolutions a reality.