DEAR DOCTOR KATHLEEN:

I want to make 2011 better than 2010. Every January, I make resolutions, but by December, nothing has changed. What can I do to differently this year?

STUCK YEAR AFTER YEAR

DEAR S.Y.A.Y.,

This is an excellent time to take assessment of all the areas of your life. Emotionally, physically, psychologically, financially, and spiritually. The biggest reason that resolutions don’t work is because they are not SPECIFIC.

Let’s start by NAMING THE YEAR. It could be “A Year of Organization” or “A Year of Love” or “A Year of Being a Better Parent.”

Next, make CATEGORIES that reflect your needs. For example:

HEALTH

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTING SKILLS

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

FINANCES

TRAVEL

PERSONAL

Now, get SPECIFIC!

It’s not enough to resolve to take better care of your HEALTH. Too vague. Make a plan. For example:

Walk 1/2 hour a day.

Take vitamins and minerals if needed.

Lose x pounds by using a specific dietary plan.

Find a new physical hobby and do it every weekend.

Drink green tea daily.

Cut down on sugar, animal products, and fat.

Design an exercise plan and make a checklist to view daily.

Schedule an annual physical, dental hygienist, mammogram.

Drink lots of water everyday by carrying a container with you wherever you go.

By making a SPECIFIC plan, you have created your ASSIGNMENTS for the year. If you look at your list daily, your intentions will be part of your life. And changes in 2011 will lead to a better life in 2012!

Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in West Hartford, Connecticut and the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.” You can email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.

www.kathleencairns.com

Life goes on… and every day matters…