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13 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,January 17,2019 w aterloochronicle.ca AT THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR, many people set goals to motivate themselves to change. Butas January 1 drifts further into the rearviewmirror, it can be easy to settle into old hab-its and forget about the resolutions and goals established at the turn of the calendar. Staying on course and achieving one's goals requires discipline. In addition to working hard, men and women who want to realize their goals in the year ahead can take several steps to increase their chances of being successful. • Examine your priorities. Achieving goals is easier when their goals can be among your big- gest priorities. Examine your priorities to determine if you can fully commit to goals that may require significant time commitments. Men and women who are already stretched thin may need to recalibrate their goals or make changes in other areas of their lives before they can fully commit to pursuing new goals. • Be specific in regard to planning. Being specific when choosing goals is important, but it's equally important to be as specific as possible in regard to developing a plan to realize those goals. Before embarking on a journey to realize your goals, figure out how you're go- ing to achieve them. Create a new daily or weekly schedule that allots time to realize your goals, seeking input from loved ones whose lives may be affected by your new schedule. • Make note of potential obstacles. Recognizing potential hurdles in advance of their appear- ance can help you overcome these obstacles and stay the course toward achieving your goals. For example, men and women hoping to lose weight can look ahead to occasions that might compromise their efforts, such as a loved one's wedding or backyard barbecue. Recognizing these obstacles in advance gives people a chance to develop a plan to over- come them. In the weight loss example, men and women can choose vegetarian options from reception menus or resolve to avoid alcohol, which tends to be high in calories. • Start small, but start immediately. Lifestyle changes can be difficult, so make small changes initially and gradually work toward larger, more significant changes. Starting small can lay a successful foundation, but it's also important to start immediately. Procrastination can reduce the likelihood of achieving your goals, and the earlier you get started the more quickly you and your loved ones will adjust to the changes necessary to realize your goals. The dawn of a new year is a great time to set new goals. Bringing those goals to fruition requires careful planning and commitment. TF181650 Weness!ness! Weness! We Tips tohelp realize your goals in theyear ahead Sponsored Content Start saving with the free app Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. Cut out the effort Your only destination for more coupons, more flyers, more savings. #SavingWithSave