For many, the start of the new year is a symbolic opportunity to create positive change within their lives, in the form of new year’s resolutions and goal setting. It’s an opportunity for a fresh start and to rid themselves of bad habits. While many of us make resolutions as part of the new year, not as many are able to keep them. If you’re still on track that’s excellent! These tips can help keep you on track. If not, maybe you can use these tips to reset.
Below are 5 tips to keep your New Year’s resolution.
Create a Plan
A last-minute goal may be easy to ditch when familiar stresses or triggers rear up in the new year. If you have a detailed plan that accounts for how you intend to handle certain situations, you may be more likely to revert to the plan at the first signs of trouble. What strategies do you intend to implement as things become challenging?
Break It Into Manageable Chunks
If your goal is a large one, it may feel pretty overwhelming out of the gate. If your diet is too restrictive, or your financial goals are too stringent, it may not be sustainable. You may want to quit at the first signs of trouble. But if you just need to concentrate on hitting a manageable number for this month, it may not feel as stressful.
Learn from Past Attempts
If you’ve repeated a particular resolution, what were the most successful strategies? What do you know doesn’t work? It’s important not to try the same thing over and over again in the same ways when it hasn’t worked in the past. If you’re going to repeat a resolution, vary the strategies behind it, if it hasn’t been successful to this point.
Create Accountability
Is there someone in your life that can help support you and make you feel accountable for your goals? This can help keep you motivated. You can also join groups that share the same goal to stay motivated. This is easier in the day of Facebook.
Keep Working at It
Setbacks are a normal part of life, but they can cause people to lose motivation in the weeks and months following the new year. If you have the discipline to re-evaluate your goals and find new ways to work at it, you’re more likely to find success.
On the Journey to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution, Celebrate Success!
New year’s resolutions can be achieved if you set your mind to it and are able to follow strategies like those above. You might need to make sure that you’ve chosen a realistic goal, and have a sound approach. You have to remember to be flexible and forgiving with yourself and to celebrate the small victories along the way. It’s not a destination, it is a journey into a new way of life.
