Did you set yourself a New Year’s resolution this year? If you did are you still working on it? If you are well done, but if you've already given up you're not alone. Many people will have already given up by this time of year, whatever their resolution was. But it's not too late to start again. By developing mental toughness you will substantially increase your chance of successdully completing your resolution and goals. Listed below are some key questions for you to ask and answer for yourself.

Is it a wish or a resolution?

Whatever it is that you’ve decided you want to achieve it’s important that you understand whether you just have a wish or a resolution. A wish is just a dream and that is the way it will stay if you don’t make a decision. A resolution is a decision and its one that you need to be really committed to achieving and prepared to put in the hard work and make any necessary sacrifices.

Am I prepared to work outside my comfort zone?

Don’t just say yes to this question without thinking about it. Working outside your comfort zone can be very challenging. However, in order to achieve your goals it's inevitable that there will be times when you'll have to choice to operate outside that comfort zone and you will need to demonstrate mental toughness to get through it.

Have I got self belief?

If you have doubts about your ability to set goals and take actions to achieve your resolution then you need to work on developing that mental toughness. You must have self-belief because if you don’t then you are simply setting yourself up for failure.

What strategies have I got to maintain my motivation?

Most people at some time suffer from some kinds of dips in motivation however committed they are to achieving their goals. However, they are much easier to cope with when you can identify when they happen and have strategies to deal with it. It’s up to you to find what works for you.

How will I maintain my focus?

It’s very easy to get thrown off balance when you’re working towards achieving your goals by external distractions. Perhaps someone wants more of your time, or you would prefer to be doing something else. You need to be mentally tough to ensure that you set your priorities and stick to them.

How good are my energy levels?

If you want to be able to work hard, maintain your focus and achieve your goals you will need energy to do this. This means important that you’re not trying constantly to multi task or ‘burning the midnight oil’. You need to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. You will find that way you have sufficient energy to do want you want.

How will I ensure that I recover from any disappointments quickly?

Disappointment is a normal part of life. Things either go wrong and it’s important that you’re not the sort of person who gives up the first time that happens. You need to be able to pick yourself up and carry on. Don’t let your disappointed feelings sabotage your efforts to achieve your goals.

Summary

Achieving goals doesn't just happen and I'm sure you know that. They generally require a great deal of hard work. You will find them easier to achieve if you have developed your mental toughness because you will be able to maintain your focus, cope with dips in motivation and recover more quickly when something goes wrong. You will also find that if you maintain a healthy lifestyle you will have the energy to put in the hard work and commitment required.

Succes is beckoning. What are you waiting for?