“A new year, a new you”—that’s the mantra many people look to when it comes to their resolutions. As well-intentioned as these promises to yourself may be, actually enacting change is not always easy. Here, individual therapy professional Sondra Sexton-Jones, MS, CT, in Juneau, AK, tells you what it takes to make resolutions stick.  Ms. Sexton-Jones has been helping people reshape their lives for more than 25 years.

Here, she explains her top tips for successful change:

• Create a Plan With Short-Term Goals: Don’t just list your resolutions mentally. Write them down and make a plan for achieving them that includes short-term goals. For instance, if you want to lose ten pounds, don’t just focus on that end number; set milestones every two pounds.
• Reward Your Successes: When you do achieve milestones in your resolution journey, don’t shy away from rewarding yourself. Whether it’s getting a fresh bouquet of flowers for your desk or going for a spa day—there are many healthy and harmless ways to treat yourself.
• Don’t Forget Fun: Your resolutions shouldn’t be a drag. Approach them with a positive attitude by incorporating fun into whatever plan you create. To continue with the fitness example, you might get a friend to join you at the gym—or take an exciting workout class.
• Look Ahead With Positivity: A positive outlook is essential to success when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Use positive self-talk to motivate yourself. Congratulate yourself for milestones achieved and efforts you’ve made. It’s also important to focus on the future. Don’t look back and think about how much you miss your old lifestyle—look forward.
• Get Help: Change is never easy, and sometimes you might find your motivation failing. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Turn to your support system for encouragement. If you feel you could use more structured guidance towards achieving your goals, consider help from someone like an individual therapy professional.

For support in Juneau, AK, put your trust in Sondra Sexton-Jones, MS, CT. Ms. Sexton-Jones is a licensed counselor who provides couples, family, and individual therapy. Whether you’re struggling with depression after a loved one’s death, need to overcome anxiety, or simply want to make changes in your life—she can help. Find out more about her services online. For an appointment, call (907) 586-3313.