Are you really ready to change? Take this quiz and find out. Every New Year’s Day, my list of resolutions is: Ambitious. I aim for everything from losing weight to saving more money for retirement. Realistic. I just try to bump my good behavior up a notch--be a better friend, give more money to charity---without giving myself any strict deadlines or goals. Precise. I decide exactly how many men I will ask for a date, or how many new jobs I will apply for. Whenever I decide to change something, it’s usually because: My doctor has put the fear of God into me. I read a magazine article about why making this change is important. I start daydreaming about how great life will be after I make the change. True or False: When you want to make a big change in your life, timing is crucial. Failure is: Impossible. Inevitable. Not in my vocabulary. Learn the secret to making changes that stick Every so often people get inspired (again!) to lose weight, to get organized, to start saving, or to stop worrying—but a few months later they give up, frustrated. It doesn’t have to be that way. In This Year I Will…, bestselling author M.J. Ryan offers breakthrough wisdom and coaching to help listeners make this time the time that change becomes permanent. Why do people find it so hard to change? The secret is that everyone has their own formula for making changes that stick, but most people don’t know what theirs is. They think there is one way to lose five pounds, and another way to stay on top of their e-mail, but they don’t realize that for all changes, there is one system that works best for each individual. This Year I Will… helps you lock on to your unique formula for planning, implementing, and seeing a life change through, so you can use it again and again to tackle anything else you’d like to do. For anyone who has broken a New Year’s resolution, fallen off a diet, or given up on fulfilling a dream, the ingenious strategies, inspiring stories, and sheer motivational energy of This Year I Will… will help you make a promise to yourself that you can actually keep.
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"This book is an odd size, small and square, almost like one of those silly gift books full of cutsey inspiring quotes or gimmicky recipes or something like that. As a result, I felt a little bit distracted while reading, like I couldn't quite take it seriously. However, I did feel that, once I got past the book itself, the information within was quite useful and interesting. Although I borrowed it from the library, this is a book I wouldn't mind owning in order to refer back to for ideas and support anytime I decide to set a goal. Not all the ideas she presents will work for everyone, but I think that presenting a whole range of ideas grouped within stages of goal accomplishment is the whole point, that everyone will likely find some, if not most, ideas useful."
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
“If you’re struggling and think that one more book can’t possibly make a difference, think again. MJ Ryan has the rare gift of breaking things down into clear pieces that can be tackled.”
— Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction“This Year I Will…is the go-to book to learn how to start that self improvement journey—and maintain it for life!”
— Pamela Peeke MD, MPH, FACP, author of Body for Life for Women“Ryan’s handy self-help will prove welcome for anyone seeking gentle but solid help in achieving personal change.”
— Publishers Weekly" Nothing really new here, but nevertheless, there were some good reminders... "
— Sandy, 2/15/2014" I liked this book a lot, although it didn't say something new but it inspired me to priotize my resolutins and try to keep them again after I lost faith in myself and my ability to achieve what i've set my mind to, it worth reread to digest all its strategies and advices. "
— Rasha, 2/14/2014" This was another quick and easy read, another that I listened to in the car. The author presents some tools for the hard work of making changes, whether in habits, mind-set, or responses. "
— Janice, 2/5/2014" Definitely a book worth reading again! Most "self-help" books that I've read tell you that there is a "be-all-end-all" way to break old habits or create new ones. M.J. Ryan tells the truth: Everyone has a method that works for them. It's finding that method and making it happen, and forgiving your "slip ups" along the way that really bring about the desired changes. Mixing psychology, science, and plain old common sense, Ryan has come up with a system of narrowing down your systems for change, and gives inspiration and guidance that most self-help books fail to give. A book I definitely plan to add to my permanent library soon! "
— Ruby, 2/4/2014" I liked this little book. M.J. Ryan speaks with a friendly and encouraging voice giving concrete ideas to help with setting and achieving goals. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to start new things whenever the first day of the month happens to be on a Monday, and whenever the first day of the month is a Monday, can be found starting the same "new" thing again. "
— Diana, 2/2/2014" Great book! Many useful anecdotes and it broke down the problems relating to changing habits or keeping resolutions very well. I am purchasing my own copy of this. "
— Jaimie, 1/21/2014" A very readable, useful overview of all that it takes to help you change habits. What it lacks in footnotes and precision it makes up for in charm and personal examples from the author. "
— John, 1/20/2014" A repetitive and disorganized compedium of excellent advice. "
— Joe, 1/20/2014" Amazing and inspiring. If you need a good kick in the pants, this book will give it to you and help you work out how to reach your goals. You won't be sorry... just get it! "
— Gloria, 1/15/2014" Really good one to help though changing your habits . Strongly recommended "
— Mashael, 12/13/2013" Decent, concise guide to goal-setting, developing good habits, etc. "
— Mark, 12/9/2013" While it does fit the cute, short, gift-book style, it is actually full of good advice on how to change a habit/keep a resolution. "
— StacyM, 12/6/2013" I found this book at the library and I liked it so much, I bought it. MJ Ryan offers research and motivation to help you make changes you might be struggling with. Stories from her experiences with clients add to the readability of the book. "
— Marcie, 7/7/2013" I hope make my dreams true "
— Rana, 6/16/2013" Out of all the improvement books I've read, this is the cream of the crop for me. "
— Felicia, 5/21/2013" A lot of cliches, but ultimately, it was worthwhile. I skimmed the stuff that got a little too formulaic for me. I hate "self-help" crap, and "This Year I Will" was tolerable to me because it seemed more informative/scientific and less cheesy/superficial/70s meditation retreat. "
— Koz, 1/25/2013" Inspiring quick read that will change the way you set goals and reach them. "
— Rachel, 12/11/2012" Excellent little snippets to get you motivated. A+ "
— Jeanne, 4/10/2012" This is a good book for anyone attempting to make change of any kind in their life. "
— Tiffany, 11/7/2011" Di recommended this one to me and I liked it too. I did go ahead and read it instead of waiting until June when the month starts on a Monday again. I thought she offered good, realistic advice and I liked how she dealt with the different phases of trying to make a change. "
— Sheila, 6/11/2011" Ryan uses the application of research about the brain and studies about how people make changes to show how change comes about. She weaves science into the chapters without being scientific--making it easy to apply ways to change to the issues I was working on. "
— Lynette, 3/2/2011" I LOVED this book. In fact when I was done I bought it, which hardly ever happens. It was easy to read and helped me feel totally motivated to make some changes in my life. I love that she gives information on research to show what will help change be more likely to happen. "
— Cindy, 2/16/2011" Voor al wie wil weten waarom zijn goede voornemens altijd mislukken en wat je daaraan kan doen: lezen deze handel. :) "
— Lilith, 12/30/2010" Really good one to help though changing your habits . Strongly recommended "
— Mashael, 11/3/2010" An excellent book full with joyful ideas about habits and how to achieve goals recommended for everyone "
— Doha, 10/22/2010" A repetitive and disorganized compedium of excellent advice. "
— Joe, 10/5/2010" I hope make my dreams true "
— Rana, 9/25/2010" A little choppy, I wasn't expecting all the advice to be sliced into 3-4pg snippets, assemble your own resolution guide in a choose your own adventure way. But it actually had some good adventure ideas/options/directions to life origami. "
— Gloriavirtutisumbra, 2/19/2010" Nothing really new here, but nevertheless, there were some good reminders... "
— Sandy, 2/4/2010" I loved the bite-size chapters of this book and know I will refer back to it time and time again as I work on reaching the goals I've set for myself this year. <br/> <br/>Very inspiring and practical. "
— Alissa, 1/18/2010" It's a good read for a self-help book. It takes a very life coach-oriented approach as opposed to a talk-therapy approach. Which makes sense, since M.J. Ryan is a life coach.<br/><br/>Lots of good strategies to effect real change, not just talk about it. Good stuff. "
— Jennifer, 10/14/2009
M. J. Ryan is one of the creators of the Random Acts of Kindness series and the author of The Power of Patience, The Happiness Makeover, and many other titles. She founded Conari Press and is currently an executive coach and a popular speaker. She is a contributing editor at Good Housekeeping and a regular contributor to Health magazine. She lives in Walnut Creek, California.