Keeping Your Asthma New Year's Resolutions

Keeping your asthma New Year's resolutions is no easier than any of the other resolutions you might make. According to Professor Richard Wiseman, only 12% of 700 people participating in a 2008 experiment achieved their New Year's resolutions. Here are some of the key steps Dr. Wisemann recommends to achieve your New Year's resolutions, particular as they relate to asthma:

1. Create a series of small obtainable goals instead of just one big one. Instead of just saying "I want to get better control of my asthma," think about the specific things you need to accomplish that goal. All of the individual tasks that you need to do can be thought of as mini-goals that are each Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based (SMART). Thus, "I want to get better control of my asthma"can turn into a list of specific tasks, such as:
   • Make an appointment to review my asthma action plan.
   • Get my yearly spirometry.
   • Perform my peak flows daily.
   • Take my asthma medications as prescribed.

   Learn More About SMART Goals

   • How To Write SMART Goals and Objectives
   • S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Lifestyle Change
   • Beyond Traditional SMART Goals

2. Get support from your family. By letting your family in on your asthma goals for the new year, you can not only obtain support to help achieve your goals, but are also more likely to stick with them because you're held accountable to someone other than yourself. Your family can also help you remember to take your medication or perform your peak flow, and can give you that nudge you need to get into your doctor's office.
3. Remind yourself why achieving your asthma goals is important. Consider making a list of the benefits of better asthma control, and place it somewhere that you will see it often.
4. Reward yourself. By celebrating and giving yourself small rewards each time you achieve one of your SMART goals, you are more likely to achieve your New Year's resolutions. Keep a list or record of each of your SMART goals and check them off as they are completed. A series of small wins creates a positive attitude and makes change seem less difficult.

_Sources:

_{Website for Richard Wiseman's book :59 Seconds - Think a Little, Change A Lot. Accessed December 28, 2009. How To Keep Your New Year's Resolution}