Bigger rewards from smaller resolutions

Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006 | 7:04 a.m.

Navel-gazing is at a high point this week as Americans - and especially the hedonistically inclined among us - ponder what they want to change about themselves in the New Year.

But whether it is to lose weight, quit smoking or get out of debt, resolutions fail because they are generic or grandiose, says William Follette, director of the clinical psychology doctoral training program at UNR.

"Most people do not have very well-specified goals," says Follette, who has issued a guide to help people keep their New Year's resolutions. "If you have a resolution to be a better person, what does that mean?"

Often, New Year's resolutions require changing heavily ingrained, unhealthy and addictive habits - habits that won't go away by simply resolving to change.

Success, Follette says, comes to those who establish a plan of action and smaller, incremental goals that will help them reach their larger resolution.

For instance, rather then deciding to lose 80 pounds in 2007, an individual might want to set up an exercise regimen and focus on initially losing 5 pounds a month. As you celebrate each little success, the bigger goal becomes more attainable.

And because most resolutions have been made before, in previous years, the resolvers will have more success if they have a plan to get back on track when they inevitably slip, Follette says.

Many people are "repeat offenders," having sworn to something several times before, Follette says.

So what, you may wonder, is Follette's personal resolution for the New Year?

"I think it would be to follow my own advice."