life changing action – something very significant

to stick to – to continue doing something that you have planned to do and not change your mind

to give up – to stop doing something

goal – target

requirement – important factor

to quit – to give up

to get over – to get past, to overcome (a difficulty)

to cut down – to reduce

to cut out – to give something up completely

struggle – forceful effort

We usually start with a list of things we would like to achieve such as: losing weight, going to the gym more often, change jobs or some other life-changing action (something very significant).

To stick to (continue to try) or to give up (stop trying) depends on our own personal motivation. Usually, the support of a partner (husband or wife or a family member) is really necessary to be successful.

Setting realistic goals (targets) is also an essential requirement (an important factor) if you are going to fulfil your dream.

So many people quit (give up) at a very early stage so if you can get over (get past) those first few weeks then you have a much greater chance of success.

So whether you are cutting down on (reducing) or cutting out (giving something up completely) then set yourself many short term goals measured in days or weeks and then it may not be such a struggle (so difficult).

For example, if your goal is to give up smoking for a year it might seem or appear a long way off (a long way away).

Why not give up for a month and then when you achieve that goal look for another month and so on until you accumulate your overall goal (final goal).

I tried this many years ago (one of the few resolutions I actually achieved) when I decided to give up alcohol for 1 year. I measured it each month and did not think about the entire year until I got to September and then it was only another 3 months. It worked for me!

So if you have overindulged (eaten or drunk too much) over the Xmas and New Year, try shorter-term goals to get that resolution in the bag (completed successfully).

Good luck with whatever you set out to do (whatever you attempt) and hopefully you have not given up already!!