It’s almost New Year’s Eve and that means it’s the season for resolutions. I’ve always been part of the 44% of people who make (and also break) New Year’s resolutions; I’m a big believer in the power of small changes to make us happier.
快到新年前夜了，意味着到了下决心的时刻。和44%的人一样，我会做出（并违背）新年决心。我坚信小变化也能带来快乐。
It's almost new year's Eve, which means it's time to make up your mind. Like 44% of people, I will make (and break) new year's resolutions. I firmly believe that small changes can also bring happiness.
Along the way and especially since I started my resolutions-based happiness project I’ve hit on some strategies for helping myself stick to resolutions.
一直以来，特别是在我为了快乐而下决心之后，我发现一些方法能帮助自己坚持决心。
All the time, especially after I made up my mind to be happy, I found some ways to help me stick to my resolution.
1. Be specific. Don’t resolve to “Make more friends” or “Strengthen friendships”; that’s too vague. To make more friends as part of my happiness project I have several very concrete resolutions like: “Start a group” “Remember birthdays” “Say hello” “Make plans” “Show up” and “No gossip.”
1.具体化。不要决定“交更多的朋友”或“巩固友谊”，这太模糊。作为快乐计划中的一部分，我的“交朋友”决心非常具体：“建立一个小组”、“记住别人的生日”、“打招呼”、“定计划”、“到场”、“不说闲话”。
1. Concretization. Don't decide to "make more friends" or "consolidate friendships." it's too vague. As part of the happiness program, my determination to make friends is very specific: "set up a group", "remember other people's birthdays", "say hello", "make a plan", "show up", "don't gossip".
2. Write it down.
2.写下来。
2. Write it down.
3. Review your resolution constantly. If your resolution is buzzing through your head it’s easier to stick to it. I review my Resolutions Chart every night.
3.时常回顾你的决心。如果你的决心“余音绕梁”，那么就更容易坚持。我每天都看一遍自己的“决心章程”。
3. Review your determination from time to time. It's easier to stick to your resolution if it's "lingering.". I read my "resolution charter" every day.
4. Hold yourself accountable. Tell other people about your resolution join or form a like-minded group score yourself on a chart (my method) -- whatever works for you to make yourself feel accountable for success and failure.
4.建立自我问责制度。告诉给别人你的决心，参加或创建一个“志同道合”群体，用表格给自己打分（我的方法）。任何可以对成功和失败问责的方式都可以。
4. Establish self accountability system. Tell others about your determination, join or create a "like-minded" group, and rate yourself on a form (my method). Anything that can be held accountable for success and failure.
5. Think big. Maybe you need a big change a big adventure – a trip to a foreign place a break-up a move a new job. Let yourself imagine anything and plan from there.
5.眼光放长。也许你需要有一个大的变化，大的冒险——例如：去异国他乡旅行，分手，搬迁，新工作。允许自己做出任何想象，然后做好打算。
5. Look long. Maybe you need to have a big change, big adventure - for example: travel to a foreign country, break up, move, new job. Allow yourself to make any imagination and then plan.
6. Think small. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that only radical change can make a difference. Just keeping your fridge cleared out could give you a real boost. Look close to home for ways to improve and grow.
6.小处着眼。不要陷入“只有激进变化才能起到作用”的思维。清理一下冰箱，这也是个进步。就近在家中寻找改善、成长的方法。
6. Focus on small areas. Don't fall into the thinking that only radical change can work. It's also a step forward to clean up the refrigerator. Find ways to improve and grow at home nearby.
7. Ask for help. Why is this so hard? But every time I ask for help I’m amazed at how much easier my task becomes.
7.寻求帮助。为什么会那么难？但是每当我寻求帮助，我会惊奇地发现任务变得简单多了。
7. Ask for help. Why is it so hard? But whenever I ask for help, I'm surprised to find that the task is much easier.
