12 Ways to Make Your 2012 Quit Drinking New Years Resolutions Stick

12 Ways to Make Your 2012 Quit Drinking New Years Resolutions Stick!

2012 is almost here and with it comes a whole new opportunity to start fresh. I LOVE this time of the year. But I used to love it for very different reasons. This used to be the season where I could rationalize drinking to excess. Holiday parties, extra time off from work, family outings – all leading up to one of the biggest party nights of the year, New Years Eve.

But unlike my drinking days New Years means something profoundly different to me now. I actually get to reflect on the past year and be happy about what I have accomplished. I also get to look forward to the New Year and set some fun and meaningful goals/resolutions.

Also be sure read below as I share personally why 2012 is a very exciting (and different) year for me.

What goals do you have for 2012? Is lasting sobriety, or a cutback in drinking, a goal for you? Or is it something else, like health and fitness, spending more time with your family or saving money?

No matter what they are there are proven ways to increase your odds of actually fulfilling your goals, resolutions, dreams and desires.

Here are 12 tips that can help rock your 2012 New Years Resolutions.

• Write Down Your Resolutions –  This is so easy and so important. Get them in a journal, in a document on your computer or even on a sticky note, but most importantly get them written down somewhere.
• Make Your Resolutions/Goals Clear and Measurable - If your resolution is too subjective or not specific enough you set yourself up for failure. For example there is not much confusion around a goal that states you will quit drinking for the month of January, 2012. But if you were to simply say I will cutback drinking in 2012 that not only might be hard to really measure, but succeeding in that goal could still end up being a failure to you if that cutback was something very minimal.
• Tell Someone Else Your New Years Resolutions/Goals - There is nothing like telling others to make you accountable and help ensure you will follow through.
• Find a Role Model/Mentor – Find someone that has already accomplished what you are setting out to do and follow their lead. And if they are someone famous or well known find their websites, read what they have written, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and other social media websites. And most importantly don’t be shy – ask for their help.
• Find a Friend/Accountability Partner – This may be the same person as above, but personally I find it can work better if they are different people. For example when I am seeking out fitness goals I read books and follow blogs of specific trainers/teachers in the field but then I also set up an accountability partner locally to workout/train with. I even occasionally have financial rewards/penalties setup with them to help me follow through, i.e. if I don’t workout 5 days a week I have to give my friend 5 dollars for that week, but if I do workout 5 days a week for the month I get to buy myself some sort of reward.
• Track and Measure Your Progress – This simple step can propel you forward. Check in every week and track whether you are moving closer or further from your goal. If you are off track no big deal, make adjustments. But the simple truth is if you don’t track and measure how you are doing you rarely will succeed.
• Be Realistic – I LOVE dreaming big, but the truth is sometimes it creates problems for me. If you dream too big the finish line can seem too far away and it can stop you in your tracks. You can have a HUGE goal, but give yourself some easier stepping stones to build up to this huge goal. Remember, being realistic is NOT being pessimistic, rather it is just setting yourself up for better odds of success.
• Pick Goals/Resolutions that are In Sync with Your Values – Try to get in touch with your core values and pick goals that match those. For example if a core value of yours is honesty but when you drink you are dishonest picking the resolution to quit drinking will also help you live by your core values.
• Plan – This is a bit redundant, but take some time to plan. Plan the what, when, where and how.
• Have Fun –  Find ways to make accomplishing your goals and resolutions fun. If it is fun you will follow through. Maybe you can use it as an opportunity re-kindle an old friendship. Or learn a new hobby or sport.
• BELIEVE – If you don’t beleive you can succeed it is likely you won’t. It is ok if you have doubt, but as you adopt some of these strategies you will find your beliefs will follow. And believing is often followed by achieving.
• The Number 12 Tip (and the most important) is to Be Passionate – Get excited about your resolution/goal and think of every and any reason for why you want and need to accomplish it. The bigger your WHY the more likely you will follow through. For example, if it is about quitting drinking it isn’t about the act of quitting as much as it is about what quitting drinking will bring you. Why you must change and what positive things will come from this change. I always like the losing weight example. Losing 20 pounds might be your goal, but the why is because you will have more energy, feel better every time you get dressed in the morning, be more confident in social situations, be a better role model to friends and family, live longer, etc. A lack of clarity about the why virtually guarantees a lack of follow through in the long term.

I hope this helps give you some ideas and propels you toward taking action. Remember, you don’t need to do all of these, but pick some that seem like a good fit.

And remember if learning how to quit drinking once and for all is one of your resolutions then The 30-Day Sobriety Solution and Private Membership Site might be perfect for you as it incorporates most of these techniques above, and many more.

Oh, and to follow up with what I mentioned above regarding this upcoming year I will be celebrating two big events/milestones in my life. My 40th birthday and my 5 year sobriety anniversary. I feel incredibly grateful for where I am at today and what 2012 holds for me and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read this blog post and any of my other content you have read, listened to or watched.

I would love to hear from any of you about your goals/resolutions for the new year. Either comment below or you can always email me directly on the contact page.

Your Sobriety Coach, Dave Andrews