For many, making New Year’s resolutions is the easy part of the New Year. Keeping those resolutions is much more difficult. University of Michigan psychology Prof. Christopher Peterson gives suggestions on how to make resolutions so that they are easier to keep, and tips on how to keep them:

• 1. Choose a habit to change that is not so deeply ingrained that it is impossible to dent it.

• 2. Take stock of the bad habit so you know what you are up against: what is it; how often do you do it; what are the circumstances?

• 3. Have a specific (concrete) goal in mind: “losing 15 pounds” is a better goal than “getting into better shape.”

• 4. Acknowledge intermediate steps and avoid black-white thinking in evaluating your progress.

• 5. Make a public declaration of your intent: shame and humiliation can be powerful motivators.

• 6. Find a partner in change: misery loves miserable company.

• 7. Cultivate a replacement activity: it is easier to say no to one thing while also saying yes to another.

• 8. Try to change your routine and surroundings: this will help dislodge the habit.

• 9. Don’t resort to bizarre strategies (like grapefruit and vodka diets to lose weight) that you cannot sustain for the rest of your life.

• 10. But the best advice is just to forget about it all: learn to love yourself the way you are.

For more information, contact Peterson at (734) 764-6567 or chrispet@umich.edu.

psychologychrispet@umich.edu