Many people attempt to make the needed changes as the new year emerges.  But the only person who likes change is a baby in a wet diaper (Mark Twain).  The world is filled with good intentions without follow through. Only eight percent report that they keep their New Year’s resolutions!  That is not a very good track record. If you fall into the group that doesn’t keep them, I suspect that your good intentions are undermined by inadequate assessment of interferences that will impede your follow through. You know you need to change, but you don’t really examine what will keep you from achieving the new life you desire.

For example, you may have the intent to reduce credit card debt, but it is unlikely to happen unless you thoroughly examine what influences you to buy.

• Perhaps you buy more when you window shop, or are with friends? If so, you may want to socialize with different activities or locations. What should you substitute for window-shopping?

• Perhaps you buy in response to Internet pop-up ads? In this case, you need to turn on your pop-up blocker to limit the ads you receive.

• Perhaps your use of credit cards reduces your perception of cost? You may need to make it more difficult to spend by paying cash for purchases.

Different people have different reasons for buying. You need to find and reduce the triggering events so the temptation to buy is reduced. By consciously analyzing those things that interfere with success, you increase your ability to achieve the results you want.

This season, don’t just make New Year’s resolutions.  Examine what will interfere with accomplishing them, and plan how you will overcome the challenges.