"Help! I hate New Year's resolutions!"

It’s no secret change is hard—but there are proven ways to transform challenges into opportunities and goals into tangible outcomes

- KRISTINA MASTROCOLA

Know your why

Look within yourself

When setting a goal, make sure your motivation is internal rather than external, says clinical psychologist Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. “If you want to lose 20 pounds for your high school reunion, that’s an external goal that won’t motivate you over the long-term. But if you want to shed weight to get healthier, that’s internal motivation and it will help keep you going.”

Start small

Take a tiny first step, advises psychologist Supatra Tovar, Ph.D. “If your goal is to form a gratitude habit, for example, attach it to something you already do daily. You might tell yourself, ‘After I pour my morning coffee, I’ll think of five things I’m grateful for.’ This prompt helps your habit stick.”

Build in ‘rest days’