How to Make and Keep New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are a tradition for many people, as it gives us a chance to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future. However, it can be easy to make resolutions and then struggle to stick to them.
Here are some tips for making and keeping your New Year’s resolutions:
1. Choose a resolution that is important to you
Your resolution should be something that you truly care about and will positively impact your life. When you’re feeling down or unmotivated, remind yourself why you made this resolution in the first place. What do you hope to achieve? How will it improve your life? Keeping your goal in mind can help you stay focused and motivated.
2. Make specific, achievable goals
Don’t set yourself up for failure by choosing a resolution that is too ambitious or unrealistic. Start small and work your way up. Rather than resolving to “read more,” try setting a specific goal such as “read for at least an hour three times a week.” This makes your resolution more concrete and easier to track. It’s also important to make sure your goal is achievable. If you don’t have a reading habit, resolving to read every day might be setting yourself up for failure.
3. Consider your strengths and weaknesses
If you’re not a morning person, resolving to wake up at 5 a.m. every day to exercise might not be the best idea. Choose a resolution that plays to your strengths and addresses your weaknesses.
4. Break your goal into smaller steps
A large, intimidating goal can be overwhelming and demotivating. Break your goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will make it feel more achievable and help you stay motivated as you progress.
5. Create a plan
Once you have your resolution, think about what steps you need to take to achieve it. If your goal is to exercise more, you might need to schedule time in your calendar, find a workout buddy, or join a gym. By creating a plan, you’ll have a roadmap to follow and be more likely to stick to your resolution.
6. Keep track of your progress
It’s essential to monitor your progress and celebrate your successes along the way. This can help keep you motivated and on track. You can use a planner, a smartphone app, or even a piece of paper to keep track of your progress. Writing a letter to your future self via futureme.org can also help.
7. Be flexible
It’s okay if you have a setback or two along the way. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a deadline or schedule. And for a fitness goal, missing a workout or indulging in a slice of cake should not make you stop. Just get back on track and keep going.
8. Find a support system
It can be helpful to have someone to share your goals with and hold you accountable. This could be a friend, a family member, or a support group. Having someone to talk to and share your progress with can be a great source of motivation.
9. Be patient
It’s important to remember that change takes time and it’s okay if it takes a while to reach your goal. Be patient with yourself and keep at it.
10. Reward yourself
When you reach a milestone or accomplish your goal, treat yourself to something special. This could be a new outfit, a massage, or a night out with friends. Celebrating your successes can help keep you motivated to continue working towards your resolution.
In conclusion, making and keeping New Year’s resolutions is all about setting specific, achievable goals, creating a plan, keeping track of your progress, being flexible, finding a support system, rewarding yourself, and being patient.
Remember to choose a resolution that is important to you, make it realistic, consider your strengths and weaknesses, and don’t be too hard on yourself. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your resolution and making this year your best yet.
