Do you believe New Year's resolutions work and, if so, what techniques help you succeed?

The only one that’s ever worked for me so far was when I decided to quit smoking. The 12th of this month will be a year (wooohooooo!). I decided to quit cold turkey, which was… extremely difficult… but I haven’t touched a single cigarette since I said I was done.

I think the reason it worked is because I was truly committed to quitting, and I was also doing it along with someone. The extra support is what I think made a world of difference. Sometimes all it takes is knowing that someone is going through the same thing you are, and that they’re there to support you.

Instead of simply trying to stop a bad habit, I also replaced it with a good one – like eating enough fruits and veggies. It gave me something positive to focus on, rather than just trying to avoid giving in to horrible temptation.

They rarely, rarely work, and those that do work, I say just happenstance.

Triggers and clear rewards are what works for me.

Have something laid out that that doesn’t happen unless you follow your resolution, that’s your reward. Even if it’s just a picture in your mind of how your life will improve or who you’re helping.

Then have a trigger somewhere that reminds you. If you want to watch what you eat, the sound of the refrigerator opening is a great trigger. If you want to be focused on something when you sit down at your computer, make your password a trigger. Want to quit smoking, count the cigarettes in the pack every single time before having one. Something that makes you stop for a half second and think about what you’re doing next.

It’s not specific to resolutions, but for goals that take some time and applied willpower it seems to work well if you’re not too hard on yourself. Progress is more important than total conformity to whatever you’re trying to change.

Excellent @DrasticDreamer!

It depends on the resolution and your motivation for setting it. Writing goals down has been found to enhance the likelihood of it being achieved. If the thing is important enough for you to plan to achieve it and you do something to start developing a routine, your success is more likely. If you just say ‘I want to lose weight’, the likelihood of that happening is limited.

Mine always work. My resolutions have always been to carry on as usual and not change anything significantly unless I feel like it.

I’ve so far kept true to every New Year resolution.

Every year my resolution is to make no resolutions. It’s worked without fail so far.