This Is The Year I Will...

Run A Half Marathon, Eat More Healthily, Land That New Job, Become A Stand-up Comedian (Hey, Why Not?). Think Big—or Small. Whatever Goal You Have In Mind, Our Advice Can Get You There.

- Stephanie Booth

YOU’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE: on the cusp of a new year, with a lofty goal in mind and the best intentions. But odds are that motivation will wane by springtime. It’s not just you, FYI. When researchers tracked the New Year’s resolutions of 200 people, they found that 77 percent kept them for one week…but only about 40 percent held on six months. Dreams can require a lot of work. Simply envisioning yourself with a nest egg in the bank or finding a new job isn’t enough, of course—which is why we’ve put together this road map: It’s full of expert advice to help you harness all that inspiration you feel right now and stay on track for the long haul.

1 CHOOSE CAREFULLY

Make sure you’re chasing the “right” goal. Here’s how.

IDENTIFY THE “WHY”

“We often inadvertently set goals that are driven by external expectations and social norms,” says Shefali Raina, a high-performance coach based in New York City. As a result, you end up with targets you don’t really, truly desire but feel you should hit. Think: striving to make as much money as your sister, or dieting to fit into your 2012 bikini, or plowing through a book a week (even if you hate it). Ask yourself why your goal is important, Raina suggests. As you articulate the reasons, you’ll be able to tell if they match your values and vision.

DO A GUT CHECK

This mindfulness technique can reveal a lot: Sit quietly for a few moments, and think about your goal. What physical sensations do you notice? “Look for signs of stress, like muscle tension, holding your breath, upset stomach, and jitteriness,” says psychiatrist Rebecca Gladding, MD, coauthor of You Are Not Your Brain. “If you feel anxiety in your body, this goal may be something you think you should do.”