Every start of a new year is the perfect time to turn a new page, which is probably why so many people make New Year’s resolutions. The new year often feels like a fresh start and a great opportunity to change bad habits and establish new routines that will help you grow psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically, or intellectually. Of course, resolutions are much easier to make than to keep, and by the end of March, many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled back into our old patterns.
The new year feels like a new beginning, which is why so many people often set lofty resolutions during these times. While this practice can sometimes lead people to bite off more than they can chew, going after resolutions can also present great opportunities to overcome struggles with willpower, determination, and ingenuity.
So, what can you do to make it more likely that you will keep your next resolution? The following tips may help you beat the odds and eventually see your resolutions come to fruition.
Choose a Specific Goal
Every year, millions of people resolve to ‘lose weight’, ‘be more productive’, or ‘get in shape’ during the next year. Instead of selecting such an ambiguous goal, focus on something more concrete that you can realistically set your sight on. In other words, choose a very specific, achievable goal. For example, you might commit to losing 10 pounds, making daily to-do lists, or running a mini-marathon. Be sure to make your goal realistic rather than drastic. Choosing a concrete, achievable goal also gives you the opportunity to plan exactly how you are going to accomplish, and stick to your goal over the course of the year.
Limit Your Resolutions
While you might have a long list of potential New Year resolutions, it will be best that you pick just one and focus your energies on it rather than spreading yourself too thin among a number of different objectives.
Focus on One Goal at a Time
Achieving even one small goal can boost your belief in yourself. For larger goals, consider breaking them down into manageable chunks to work on one at a time. Taking on too much at once can be daunting. It can be particularly difficult because establishing new behavioral patterns take time and sustained effort. Focusing yourself on one specific goal makes keeping a resolution much more achievable.
Put Time Into Planning
Don’t wait until the last minute to choose your goal. Picking your resolution wisely and putting in extensive planning are essential parts of achieving any goal. It will be best that you brainstorm on how you will tackle a major resolution, including the steps you will take, why you want to do it, and ways you can keep yourself on track.
Make a Detailed Plan
Creating a detailed written plan can help you stick to your goal. This stage is so critical for success because it allows you to consider what tactics you will use when you’re faced with challenges. When things get difficult, what strategies will you use to stay on the path toward making your resolution a reality? If you start working toward a goal without any type of plan in place, you may quickly find yourself giving up when faced with any sort of obstacle, setback, or resistance. For example, if your goal is to run three times per week, what will you do if you’ve missed four days in a row, and how will you proceed if you need to take time off for an illness or injury?
You can start by writing down your goal, making a list of things you might do to achieve that goal, and noting any obstacles that might stand in your way. By knowing exactly what you want to accomplish and the difficulties you might face, you’ll be better prepared to stick to your resolution and overcome anything that might sidetrack you.
Get Support
Yes, you’ve probably heard this advice a million times, but that is because the ‘buddy system’ actually works. Having a solid support system can help you stay motivated and accountable. So, ideally, find a like-minded friend or loved one to join you in your goal. Explain what your goals are to your close friends or family and ask them to help you achieve your objectives.
Renew Your Motivation
During the first days of a New Year’s resolution, you will probably feel confident and highly motivated to reach your goal. Because you haven’t really faced any discomfort or temptation associated with changing your behavior, making this change might seem all too easy. After dealing with the reality of dragging yourself to the gym or waking up at dawn to get to work early, your motivation to keep your New Year’s resolution may start to dwindle. When you face such moments, remind yourself exactly why you are doing this. Think about or write a list to keep handy, what you have to gain by achieving your goal. Finding sources of inspiration can keep you going when times get tough.
Remember That Change Is a Process
Those unhealthy or undesired habits that you are trying to change probably took years to develop, so how can you expect to change them in just a matter of days, weeks, or months? Be patient with yourself. Understand that working toward your resolution is a process. Even if you make a misstep or two, you can restart and continue on your journey towards your goal. It may take longer than you would like to achieve your goals, but remember that this is not a race to the finish. Once you have made the commitment to changing a behavior, it may be something that you continue to work on for the rest of your life.
The yearly ritual of resolution setting doesn’t have to be an annual disappointment. Sometimes, the difference between success and failure is simply choosing the right goal and the process you use to go about achieving it. Most importantly, remember to be kind and flexible with yourself and to celebrate any and all progress along the way. It’s not just the end goal that matters, it’s the journey along the way. Happy new year!
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