Dr. Phil's Making Resolutions a Reality

Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking, get your finances in order, or stop procrastinating, Dr. Phil has advice to help make your resolutions stick.

Set a very specific goal. Do you want to work out 30 minutes a day four days a week? "Being happy," for example, is not specific enough. Define exactly what you want in clear terms.

Set a goal that has a measurable outcome. "Getting in shape" is not quantifiable. Without a goal that is measurable, how will you know when you've made progress or even reached it?

Assign a timeline. "Someday" is not a day of the week. The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeframe for making it happen. A deadline can also help motivate you and prevent you from procrastinating.

Choose a goal you can control. You don't control how much you weigh. You can influence it, and you can control the things upon which your weight is based, but you do not control the number on the scale. In identifying your goal, strive for what you can really create - not just what you fantasize about.

Program your life with a strategy. Willpower is a myth. It's emotionally powered, and emotions are fickle. Wanting to do something - no matter how badly you want it - won't make it happen. You need a plan and you need to change something in your lifestyle. Realistically assess the obstacles and resources involved, and create a strategy for navigating that reality. Your environment, your schedule and
your accountability must be programmed in such a way that all three support you. Life is full of temptations and opportunities to fail. Without programming, you will find it much harder to stay the course.

Identify small steps. Major life changes don't just happen; they happen one step at
a time. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Steady progress through well-chosen, realistic, interval steps produces results. Know what those steps are before you set out.

Create accountability. Without accountability, people are apt to con themselves. If you know precisely what you want - and there are real consequences for not doing the assigned work - you are more likely to continue in your pursuit of your goal. Find someone in your circle of family or friends to whom you can be accountable.
Make periodic reports on your progress.