Editor’s Letter
If you’ve got to this page after reading our monthly Masthead team question (page 38), you’ll know that the Cosmo team hasn’t been particularly victorious with its past New Year resolutions. And we’re not alone. According to research, a whopping 78% of all resolution-makers fail to meet their goals, and 25% give up in the first week itself! Depressing numbers, I know, but they led me to wonder what the successful 22% did differently. A lot, I learned, and contrary to what you might expect, it’s got little to do with smarts or will power. Sooo... to prevent the tragic demise of yet another set of NY resolutions, I’d like to reveal secrets that will finally help us lose weight/quit smoking/ finish that book/whatever...
1. It’s All In the Resolution!
If your list of goals includes travelling often, saving money, and spending more time with loved ones, you’ve already set yourself up for failure. When you aim to do too much, you scatter your energy and reduce chances of success. Instead, concentrate your will on just one concrete goal, and be specific about it. So, for instance, instead of saying ‘I will travel more’, resolve to ‘travel in April, August, and December’.
2. Don’t Rush Into It
If you plan to make or break a habit starting first thing tomorrow, I have some bad news for you—it won’t work. When you rush into a last-minute promise, without prepping for it, you’re less likely to see it through. Instead, set goals for two-three months later, and plan how you will meet them when the deadline comes a rollin’. It also helps to imagine obstacles you may encounter so you can prepare solutions.
3. Turn To Page 116
Our cover story— New Year, New Rules, New You— actually teaches you how to train your brain to achieve goals! Before working on any resolution, you need to read this three-step
scientific system that’s created to ensure results.
4. Delete Something Else
Most of us are already struggling with a packed schedule. So if your resolution needs time—like hitting the gym every day or starting a blog—you have to let go of something else, like that extra hour lazing around in bed, or the after-work gossip chat with your colleagues.
Let me know how it went,