We all want to start the new year putting our best foot forward. Come January 1st, the most common question asked is, “what’s your new year’s resolution?” Although about 60% of the population makes a resolution, only 25% stay committed after the first month and even less, 8%, follow through. If you want to celebrate the New Year and stick to your resolution, read on!
New Year’s Resolutions
Instead of setting yourself up for failure, try taking these steps to make sure you succeed with your New Year’s resolutions this year.
- Set an achievable goal
When it comes to our goals for the new year, many like to follow the “go big or go home” motto. The problem is you may be setting yourself up for the impossible. For instance, if your goal is to save enough money to take a big vacation at the end of the year but, you barely have enough money each month to cover your bills, your goal is unattainable. When making a resolution, think about the steps you need to take to make that happen. Going back to the trip example, maybe you realize that in order to save money, you need to have a second income or assess your finances and see what expenses you can cut out. Ensure you are setting yourself up for success from the start.
- Tell others
Some people may not like this step because they don’t want to be seen as a failure. However, if you are letting the fear take over, you have already put yourself in a mindset that you can’t do it. Studies have shown that 65% of people who share their goals are more likely to follow through and stay committed. While this may tempt you to share your resolution all over social media, it may not be the best plan of action for everyone. Share with those you trust who you know will encourage you and give you positive feedback. The last thing you need is someone else’s negativity bringing you down and getting in your head that you can’t accomplish what you set out to do.
- Find an accountability buddy with a similar goal
Since you are now sharing your goal, find someone who has a similar goal and keep each other accountable. If your resolution is to be healthier in the new year and you decide to enroll at a gym, join one that you already know someone at. Going to work out at 6 am is a lot easier when you know there is someone there waiting for you. You can also join online forums or download an app, (there is an app for everything these days), that gives you a community of people with like-minded goals where you can receive encouragement to help with motivation.
- Have check-ins
This, by far, is the most important step. Let’s say your resolution is to practice better self-care. You are going to be more mindful, get better sleep, meal prep each week, and have a nightly regimen of preparing for the next day so your mornings aren’t rushed and chaotic. Three weeks in, you get the late shift all week, pick up fast food on your way home, eat in front of the tv until 1 am, and face plant into bed right after. Before you know it, it’s been weeks and self-care is nowhere in sight. What went wrong? You forgot to check-in with you!
Try and set aside a day each week and assess how things are going. For me, I like to wake up every Saturday morning and make note of how the week went. Why didn’t I stick to my goals? What were my stressors? How could I have dealt with things differently so, that my goals didn’t go by the wayside? If you can see where your setbacks are, you go into the following week prepared and focused. These can help you identify and follow through with the best new year’s resolutions.
So, you if want to make the new year a success, you must set yourself up for it. You set the tone not only for how your year will go but, how each day of that year will go. You may not have the motivation each day but, you can make a commitment and keep your word to yourself. This is your year so, make it happen!
