Sometimes, we're our own worst enemies. We throw obstacles in the way of the things we want to accomplish. Instead, we should make it easy to do the things we want to do and hard to do the things we want to avoid. Let me give you some examples:
- You want to get control of all the paper in your house. Keeping the mail resting spot, the file cabinet, the scanner, the shredder, and the recycling bin in separate rooms makes things harder. You have to sort your mail, carry pieces that must be filed to one place, take the shreddables to another place, go to still another place to scan things you'll file electronically, and then take everything else to the recycling bin. You aren't going to do that! No one is. Out everything you need in close proximity and you're far more likely to avoid the creation of paper mountain.
- You want to move more every day. You can start wearing a step counter, make it a habit to park far away from the door at work, or make sure you always have exercise clothes clean and sitting out in your room.
- I'm trying to reduce my diet soda consumption. I decided that I wouldn't buy my usual 12-packs anymore. If I have it in the house, it's a constant temptation that I'll have to deny myself. Instead, I only have to deny myself once — when I walk by the display at the grocery store. At home, it's way easier to find something else to drink than it is to put on shoes and a coat and walk 2 blocks to the nearest store that sells soda. So, with one decision, I've cut my diet soda consumption by more than 75% — and it isn't hard. You can do the same thing with other healthy diet options.
What can you do to make keeping your resolutions easier?