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"A New Year's Resolution without Resolve is Laziness (and You Know It)!" - By: Tyra Leesman

If you've recently made your New Year's resolutions for 2018, congrats! You've made the first step toward bettering your life. Unless, of course, you made those resolutions without the resolve to complete them.

I'm not talking about "I'll give it a shot!" or even "I'll give it my BEST shot!".

 Resolve means you want to reach your goal, you have a plan to reach your goal, and you actually make the effort to reach your goal. It's the trifecta or no-fecta! You won't lose that weight by WISHING for it hard enough.

But you know that. The problem with humans is that we know what to do, we just don't know how to make ourselves do it. We spend billions of dollars a year on industries that promise us success. Gym memberships, supplements, nicotine patches, personal finance classes... There seem to be a million ways to get yourself motivated (if you have the cash) and popping a pill or pinning an inspirational quote on Pinterest seem like the easiest ones.

Gone is the hayday of self-discipline and determination. Grit and self-control are purchased in bottles and Starbucks lattes. Perseverance means getting through the week without crashing.

Hey, it's not our fault. Truly! Life in America is fast-paced, and it's tough to keep up. Many of us find ourselves working two jobs to make ends meet because the wage gap is so great that the middle classes are disappearing.

But...

If you truly want something, you'll make the time for it. You'll plan it, plot it, schedule it, sacrifice for it, and actually do it.

"Do or do not, there is no try," - Master Yoda

So when you make those New Year's Resolutions for 2018, make them count. If it's anything less than something you truly want, you don't have time for it. You won't have time for it because you won't make time for it.

Try this: If you often wake up in the morning and think, "I don't want to go to class. I'm too tired," try not thinking. Shut your brain up before it gets started. The moment you wake up, don't wait. Get out of bed before you can convince yourself not to. Put on your clothes before your brain has time to complain. By the time your groggy noggin is aware of what's happening, you'll find it quite pleased to already be well down the path to a better day.

A little prep the night before can also go a long way. (Take it from a chronic snooze-button masher!)

Resolve to fulfill your own wishes for success in 2018.

(And may the Force be with you.)

#notsorryfortheStarWarsreferences

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