A Plan For Sticking To

By Joe Takash

When someone says the word "resolution," what do you feel? If you're like most people, feelings of unrest accompanied by visions of change and unmet goals dance through your head. The fact is that year after year, most plans for self-improvement, whether they be in terms of habits or health, inevitably fail.

For example, let's say on Monday you vow to lose weight, but by Tuesday you're attacking the NutterButter Sandwich Cookies with the aggression of a l0-year-old boy who knows that Wonka's golden ticket is inside the package. Or maybe you resolve to work out like a Marine, but quickly find the first excuse you can to sit on the couch. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, then your problem lies in your approach.

Everyone starts strong-willed on the first day of their resolution, but within a few weeks, most people are back to their old ways. In truth, these people miss their goals because they don't base their resolutions on behavior changes. For example, instead of saying, "I'm going to work out like a