Let’s be honest. New Year’s Resolutions are made to fail. For starters, they are made in the beginning of the year with plenty of time for you to back a step. Then, they have all of this holiday season build up.
Let’s tear all of that down. These are just goals – goals that are obtainable. I am going to include some tips on actually keeping your New Year’s Resolutions.
Before I even dive into tips, let’s remember these are just goals. These are ways you want to better yourself for the new year. Don’t let the pressure or novelty of New Year’s Resolutions get you down.
No one is perfect; we are just trying to be better people.
And if your New Year’s Resolution is too definitive – change it. For example (just because this is a common one), your goal really isn’t to lose weight. It is to be healthier. Remember, you are wanting a year-long change, so make sure it’s a theme you can look back to all year long.
For me, I have had a tough year mentally – which has led to weight gain and other problems. So my goals start with that. I need to make choices that are better for my mental health.
So, what’s the first step?
WRITE DOWN YOUR GOALS (AND OBSTACLES)
My first tip is to write down your goals and the obstacles that go with them. For example, I want to be healthier and more fiscally responsible this year. My obstacle? My anxiety and depression.
Then, come up with a plan to overcome those obstacles. I know that when something comes up, I start to shatter. I want to eat, drink and buy things. When I have these urges, I will force myself to go on a 5-mile walk or hike. Then, if I still have these urges, I will call someone. That is my plan.
Will it always work? I can’t say. Is it better to have a plan? I think so.
Also – don’t plan too many New Years Resolutions. One or two is plenty.
SET MICRO-GOALS
I like to check things off lists – it helps me feel like I have done something. So when I set a New Year’s Resolution, I like to think of it as a year-long project.
For my healthier year goal, I have a lot of micro-goals associated with it. For starters, I would like to lose all the weight I gained. Another micro-goal is to get into a fitness routine.
In an Evernote notebook, I have a note full of micro-goals for my resolution (some of them are month-based). I am able to check these off and feel like I am making progress.
USE A PLANNER
After you set your micro-goals, you can set deadlines in a planner. I use Google Calendar, and I have multiple calendars that are color-coded.
For my fiscal calendar, I have deadlines on when I want to have things paid off or when I want a specific amount saved.
LOOK FOR APPS
There are a lot of apps that help you hit your goals. If you are wanting to drink more water, there is an app that helps you track how much water your drink in a day.
There are also apps that help you track food, etc. If you are looking to reduce stress (like I am), I highly recommend Simple Habit. I am not sponsored by them or anything – but when I force myself to use their app it helps me. I am just terrible at sitting still (something I am trying to fix in the new year).
But chances are, if you have a goal, there is an app to help you with it.
GET A BUDDY
If you know someone who has the same new year resolution as you, buddy up! Nothing works better than an accountability partner – and sometimes you need to be judged when you break promises to yourself.
Plus, if you find an app that tracks your goals – you can share your progress with your buddy. I am one that likes a buddy that keeps me on my toes – so I think this helps with the progress.
REWARD YOURSELF
I have been a teacher and a manager, and I have learned one thing from being the leader of a flock – people (and children) respond to being rewarded.
If you reward yourself when you hit a benchmark to your goal, you are more likely to keep going. Everyone loves a good splurge every once in a while.
How do you keep up with your New Year’s Resolutions?
